09 May 2008 – Minister welcomes roll out of 750 new ESF projects to boost jobs and skills
The roll out of hundreds of new European Social Fund (ESF) projects across England was welcomed today by James Plaskitt, DWP Minister for the ESF. The new projects will help thousands of people to get qualified and enter jobs.
The projects are starting during spring and summer 2008. They are the first to be supported by the 2007-2013 ESF programme which is investing £2 billion of ESF money in England.
To mark the roll out, and also Europe Day which falls on 9 May each year, James Plaskitt visited the Sustained Employment through Learning project in Leamington Spa.
Speaking during the visit James Plaskitt said:
“I warmly welcome the start of the new ESF projects. They will target people who need that extra help to gain skills, find jobs and succeed at work. Our priority is to support those who, despite record employment levels, remain out of work, including people on incapacity benefits.
“Many of the projects will provide integrated employment and skills support – like the Sustained Employment through Learning project which I am visiting today. They will give people new life-changing opportunities.”
During his visit to the project, James Plaskitt met staff and participants, including individuals who have benefited from previous ESF projects.
Over seven years the ESF programme will help 200,000 people into jobs, and enable at least 140,000 of the most disadvantaged people make positive progress toward the labour market. It will also help 80,000 disadvantaged young people into learning or a job. Around 160,000 employees will gain basic skills with the help of ESF funding, and 175,000 will gain qualifications.
Notes for Editors
James Plaskitt visited the Sustained Employment through Learning project in Leamington to mark Europe Day and the roll out of new ESF projects. The project is run by Warwickshire County Council and receives its ESF funding via the Learning and Skills Council.
Europe Day is celebrated on 9 May each year, and marks the day in 1950 when proposals were first made for what has now become the European Union.
In 2007-2013, the European Social Fund will invest £2 billion in England and Gibraltar, which will be matched to £2 billion of national funding. The new European Social Fund programme will support two key priorities:
- extending employment opportunities to people who are unemployed or at a disadvantaged in the labour market, including disabled people, lone parents, older workers, ethnic minorities, low skilled people, and young people not in education, employment or training; and
- developing a skilled and adaptable workforce, with a particular focus on employees who lack basic skills and good qualifications.
The new projects are the first to start under the 2007-2013 England and Gibraltar ESF programme, following the launch of tendering rounds in autumn 2007. The tendering rounds were organised by DWP, the Learning and Skills Council and other ESF Co-financing Organisations.
The Sustained Employment through Learning project aims to improve the job prospects of 730 unemployed and disadvantaged people in Warwickshire by March 2010. It will provide bespoke support including pre-employment training, basic skills tutoring, and access to Level 1 and 2 qualifications.
As a Co-financing Organisation, DWP will be announcing the award of its new ESF contracts for the 2007 - 2013 programme in the near future. Details of contracts when awarded will be published on the DWP website.
The national ESF website is at www.esf.gov.uk
Media Enquiries: 0203 267 5124
DWP Press Office: 0203 267 5144
Out of hours: 07659 108 883
Website: www.dwp.gov.uk
