ESF and ERDF Bids submitted - 9 October 2009

Last Friday was the deadline for submission of ESF and ERDF proposals for projects starting in 2010. Three proposals to support employability work in West Lothian were submitted.

Extension to the Connecting Communities ERDF Connecting to Jobs ESF Community Planning partnership programme
An extension to this integrated package of activity was proposed with European Funding used to target key groups – Young people requiring More Choices, and More Chances and geographic communities with the highest levels of exclusion from employment. A revised plan to extend the current approved package of action for a year from September 2010 to August 2011.

A new ESF proposal has also been submitted to provide a route into employment for people with "High Support Needs"
Proposed project activity includes:
Targeted support in two areas - one for people with severe and enduring mental illness and one for those with learning disabilities
Employer engagement to encourage recruitment from these groups and to support employers in sustaining clients within their post
Specialist training on diverse issues from health and safety and people skills, to art therapy and literacy and numeracy
Support for clients to look for and apply for jobs as well as support to sustain employment once they’ve attained it.