Training schemes to target those hit hardest in recession

Skilled for Success will help 620 low-skilled people into training and, ultimately, into jobs – targeting the areas of Leeds that are amongst the 20 per cent most deprived in the country.

Co-ordinated by Leeds City Council and funded through the European Union's European Social Fund and the Learning and Skills Council, Skilled for Success forms part of the wider Skills for Jobs programme.

Skilled for Success is a programme of targeted activity that will help those considered furthest from the labour market into basic skills training.

Three providers – HCT Group, Learning Partnerships and Trescom Research and Consultancy Ltd – will run the training.

The schemes focus on everything from starting careers in the transport industry to childcare, literacy, setting up businesses, and construction health and safety.

Over the course of the programme, all 620 people should achieve basic qualifications and progress into paid work, further learning or voluntary work.

Each individual works with an adviser to choose courses that are most relevant to their interests and goals.

All the courses are free. Information, advice and guidance, help with travel and childcare costs, and ongoing support such as mentoring and motivational/ confidence building or life management support are available.

More information about the courses on offer, including contact details, can be found on the Leeds Council website – www.leeds.gov.uk

Councillor Les Carter, Leeds City Council's executive board member for jobs and skills, said: "These schemes will help the communities hardest hit by the recession, which has put the prospect of a job out of the reach of many working people.

"By giving them access to such a wide range of different training schemes, more than 600 people will have the chance to develop the skills that will vastly improve their chances of finding jobs.

"This is exactly the kind of scheme that will produce results – the council is working hard to ensure that Leeds will lead the way as the country comes out of recession."