Funding Boost to Help Vulnerable into Work
East Sussex County Council (ESCC) has agreed funding of up to £615,000 to deliver a Supported Apprenticeship programme to create opportunities for some of the county’s most vulnerable residents. People living in East Sussex in supported and temporary accommodation, and those at risk of homelessness in the county, will be given support to access apprentice-
ship placements and vocational training and earn sufficient income to help them live independently.
Managed by the council’s new Employability for Supported and Temporary Accommodation and Refuges (ESTAR) initiative, the scheme will offer a work-based skills programme for up to 120 adults and identify up to 50 participants to move into Supported Apprenticeship opportunities with local employers.
Councillor Rupert Simmons, lead member for the economy, says: “The Supported Apprentice-ship programme will help improve the future prospects of some of the most marginalised residents in our county as well as having a positive impact on local communities, businesses and economy.
“This funding provides a further boost to the work to improve skills and training in East Sussex, which is one of the key objectives in the county’s economic recovery plan and continues our collective efforts with partners and businesses to increase the number of apprenticeships in the county.”
The ESTAR team plans to actively engage with employers from priority sectors where there is employment growth and future skills shortages including construction, horticulture, health, care, and the visitor economy. The project also includes initiatives to help overcome the barriers vulnerable adults may have faced when trying to access previous apprenticeship opportunities.
This support includes mentoring to help individuals with their learning and in the workplace, and financial support to enable employers to pay apprentices a living wage.
• For more information visit www.careerseastsussex.co.uk Local businesses who would like to find out more or get involved should email [email protected]
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