A training and employment scheme in Blackwood, which has helped more than 1,000 people over the past 13 years, has secured a range of new contracts.
Fast Forward, based at the former Blackwood Primary School building, will help a further 150 people gain employment, support and training over the next few months.
Cllr Ron Davies, Caerphilly County Borough Council’s cabinet member for regeneration, said: “The Fast Forward scheme has played a major role over recent years in getting local people on the right track to employment, so it is very encouraging to learn that they have secured new contracts to help even more residents over the coming months.”
The three contracts, funded under the Jobcentre Plus Flexible Support Fund are:
Employability – Fast Forward will be providing two week training courses for people aged 18 plus who have recently started claiming Jobseekers Allowance. The scheme, in partnership with Tydfil Training, Merthyr Institute for the Blind and Blaenau Gwent CBC, aims to help young people back into employment, with intensive support on jobsearch skills, cv writing, IT skills and other work-related training, such as First Aid, Manual Handling and Customer Service. Fast Forward will aim to help 100 local unemployed people during the next five months, with the target to achieve successful job outcomes for at least 70%.
Next Steps – This is a mentoring programme, established to support female ex-offenders, lone parents and older people, helping them to overcome their barriers to employment. The team will draw on the support of partner organisations across the area to identify and implement development and training solutions according to each individual’s needs. Again in partnership with Tydfil Training, Fast Forward will work with 30 clients during the five month period, with a target to achieve job outcomes for 40% of them.
Outdoors – This programme builds on the success of the council’s Apprenticeship scheme. Two nine week courses have been established, one starting in January and the other in late March, focusing on work experience placements in different teams within CCBC – Parks, Pride in your Place, Countryside and Waste Management. The courses will be available for 12 young people (18 to 24 year old jobseekers) on each one.
For more information about Fast Forward contact 01495 235110.