by Newcastle Futures initiative aiming to get more working
Newcastle Futures initiative aiming to get more working
UP to 2,000 people could be helped into work as part of a £3m employment initiative.Newcastle Futures, backed by Newcastle Council, will be responsible for joining up a range of employment services across the city after receiving £500,000 a year for the next three years from the council.The cash allocation, agreed as part of the council’s 2012 budget and confirmed by the council’s cabinet yesterday, will be matched in services and staff by Jobcentre Plus.The agreed programme, worth £3m over three years, is a key plank of the council’s policy priority to ensure Newcastle is a working city.Newcastle Futures’ target is to support 5,000 residents and get 2,000 back into work over the next three years. In Newcastle 10,100 people are now claiming unemployment benefit – an increase of more than 1,000 over the past year.The project is targeted at the most economically deprived areas of the city and disadvantaged groups.Olivia Grant, the chair of Newcastle Futures, has welcomed the new investment.She said: ‘I am delighted that council has agreed to offer this support to Newcastle Futures over a three-year period and we shall work hard to deliver excellent services for the people in Newcastle.’Newcastle Futures is keen to develop and focus its work to assist people in the city to find employment opportunities and gain the skills to enter employment.’We already have a strong track record of commitment to and support for people in the city. We are grateful for the confidence expressed by the city council in offering this funding support to us and we look forward to working with the them and our partners to improve opportunities for people in Newcastle.’Newcastle Futures is to focus on cutting youth unemployment, getting help to newly-unemployed people earlier, supporting women – particularly mothers – affected by recession, and assisting people over 50. Programmes offered by Newcastle Futures also target support at job seekers who require training on basic IT skills.Council leader Nick Forbes has said funding for the scheme is vital. ‘This is a crucial project ensuring those most in need of support receive it. It’s a groundbreaking partnership between the council, Jobcentre Plus and others. I only wish we had more to invest as the pool of people who will need support over the next few years is only going to grow.’Last month Bella Ekwen-Aiwerioghene, from Fenham, found work with Your Homes Newcastle (YHN) after months of trying after she got help from Newcastle Futures.Its staff work across the city in over 40 different community venues which include local libraries, customer service centres and YHN offices.To find out more about the scheme call 0800 587 0478 or 0191 230 2970 email info@newcastlefutures.co.u k or see the website at www.newcastlefutures.co.ukWe already have a strong track record of commitment to and support for people in the city.
Paul Champion
Strategic Project Manager
Mobile: 07540 704920
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