A new project aimed at helping disadvantaged people get into work and training has been launched in Pembrokeshire this month.
Pembrokeshire COAST (Creating Opportunities and Skills Team) is part of COASTAL, a wider initiative across South West Wales part funded by the European Social Fund.
Around £7 million will be used in Pembrokeshire to develop existing services and create new opportunities for training and work practice for disabled people and those with serious and enduring illnesses.
“The new project aims to provide a wide range of guidance, education and training to support people who are unable to work either as a result of illness or disability,” said Councillor David Wildman, Pembrokeshire County Council Cabinet Member for Adult Services and Care.
“We hope to be able to address the barriers they face in training for and seeking employment.”
The COASTAL project, which was set up earlier this year, is being led by the City and County of Swansea Council in partnership with the local authorities of Carmarthenshire, Neath Port Talbot and Pembrokeshire. It is set to include Ceredigion and Bridgend next year.
The project is due to last for four and half years and is part funded by £27million from the European Social Fund as part of the EU’s 2007-13 West Wales & the Valleys Convergence Programme. The remaining funding will be provided by the local authorities and independent sector providers.
The Pembrokeshire launch on November 6th is the first of the project’s local launches.
People wanting help from the new scheme will be referred to a specialist team based at Norman Industries in Haverfordwest – part of Pembrokeshire County Council.
It will act as a central hub providing participants with access to a wide variety of services offered both by the Council and the voluntary sector.
For more details about the project contact COAST at 01437 768317 or email [email protected]
Photograph: (left to right) Councillor David Wildman, Cabinet Member for Adult Services and Care; Councillor Sian James, Cabinet Member for the Voluntary Sector, Health and Well-being; Karen Davies, Pembrokeshire Coast Project manager, and Mike Taberner and Derek Jenkins from Norman Industries.
