A project to help youngsters with special educational needs make the switch from education to employment has been given £8.8 million in EU funding.
Caerphilly County Borough Council’s Regional SEN Transition to Employment project is expected to help more than 1,500 young people with learning disabilities across South Wales.
The £15m project will focus on those with severe and complex needs and will address the gap in support for 14 to 19-year-olds who are making the transition between full-time education and employment.
Announcing the £8.8m from the European Social Fund, Deputy Minister for European Programmes Alun Davies AM said: “Raising aspirations and motivating young people, and others in their lives, through increased participation in learning, volunteering and employment opportunities will not only create more fulfilling futures for these individuals, but also enable them to play a valuable role in our communities.
“I am delighted that our successful management of EU resources has enabled us to back this project which will deliver further opportunities for people across the region.”
As well as Caerphilly County Borough, the project will also operate in Bridgend, Carmarthenshire, Merthyr Tydfil, Neath Port Talbot, Pembrokeshire, Rhondda Cynon Taf, Swansea, and Torfaen.
Caerphilly AM Jeff Cuthbert, who is also the Deputy Minister for Skills, said: “Developing skills is crucial to helping people get into work and to provide Welsh business with the workforce they need to help them thrive.
“This new project is great news and will hopefully help more young people with learning disabilities find rewarding, full-time employment. I am delighted to see the many different agencies work together to provide the tailored, individual support needed to help these young people into work.”
Cllr Phil Bevan, cabinet member for education, lifelong learning and leisure, said: “We are delighted to be leading this innovative and exciting project that will benefit many young people with learning disabilities across the region.
“This multi-agency approach will ensure that we can pool our expertise and resources and create a range of opportunities that will allow participants to enjoy improved access to employment in the future.”
Other agencies delivering aspects of the project are Elite Supported Employment Agency, Learning Disability Wales, Mencap, National Autistic Society, Remploy, and the Welsh Centre for Learning Disabilities at Cardiff University.