£2000 to help people get new jobs in South Lakeland

Today, Cumbria County Council's South lakes Local Committee agreed £2000 of funding for the Employment Alternatives Scheme. The scheme is a new tailored programme to provide advice, guidance, counselling and training support to target groups with difficulties getting a job. 

The scheme aims to ensure that people who are out of work, those looking for alternative employment and people whose jobs are under threat have one-to-one support and access to short training programmes. Target groups for Employment Alternatives are women returning to the labour market, single parents, victims of redundancy and those and those seeking alternative employment or career changes. 

The funding comes from the Economic Initiatives fund, which was set up three years ago to assist the small business community and improve individuals' access to the jobs market. County Councillor Ian Stewart, Chair of South Lakes Local Committee says, 

"The Economic initiatives fund is designed to create and safeguard local jobs. We encourage and support a wide range of projects with this aim in mind. I am pleased to support this economic initiative promoting employment opportunities and diversification in the area. The Employment Alternatives scheme will respond to the need for redundancy counselling in businesses in South Lakeland and address the issue of diversification. 

This is a partnership scheme and will be delivered using community focussed facilities. He project aims to assist 300 people in total and directly place 100 people into employment during 2003/04."