Bridges into Work

Bridges into Work is an exciting new opportunity for economically inactive and unemployed people in South East Wales, with a £10million grant from the European Social Fund.

The project will be a boost to individuals and companies, providing opportunities for retraining or improving skills in subjects that are in demand by employers.The aim is to help nearly 3,000 people into sustainable employment by December 2011.

Where is it available?

Six Local Authority regions: - Blaenau Gwent, Bridgend, Caerphilly, Merthyr Tydfil, Rhondda Cynon Taff and Torfaen have joined together to strategically develop and run Bridges into Work.
Geoff Thomas Community Learning Officer is based at Bedlinog Resource Centre Monday - Friday, please feel free to call in or contact 01443 710821 to request support.

Who is it for?

 It is available to all residents of the Bridges into Work region who are not in full time education and either not working or working for less than 16 hours per week but who wish to move closer to the job market with the ultimate aim of becoming employed.

What can it offer?

• Free career guidance, advice and information as well as support with job searches, CV writing and personal presentation skills to help people succeed at interviews.
• Skills training in generic transferable skills and job specific training. Examples of training opportunities include literacy and numeracy skills, confidence building, IT courses, formal qualifications (such as GCSEs, City & Guilds,NVQ etc.)
• Pre-employment courses or job preparation courses to prepare  people for working. It aims to enable 7,900 people to gain qualifications.
• Additional support for people facing barriers to working such as work limiting health conditions, childcare needs and transport barriers.

Why is it important?

 The current economic situation in the UK is making finding sustainable employment much tougher. Bridges into Work is working with some of the most deprived areas inWales where unemployment and incapacity are already high. Helping people move from economic inactivity to work can be a long and expensive process with many interventions required for each person.

 The project partners are planning to use this last round of European money to help make a real difference for people in the region.

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