The Council’s Education & Learning Scrutiny Committee has welcomed the continued progress of the Inspire 2 Achieve and Inspire 2 Work programmes.
The European funded projects work with young people aged 11–24 and 16-24 who are already classed as, or considered at risk of, being Not in Education, Employment or Training (NEET). The project helps young people to overcome mental and physical barriers in order to reach their learning potential and become economically active in the community.
The number of young people classed as NEET in 2010 was 74. The latest figures show that this has reduced to just 9 young people (1.7%).
As the host local authority, Blaenau Gwent Council helps to deliver Inspire 2 Achieve and Inspire 2 Work across West Wales and the Valleys, covering six local authority areas.
To date, in Blaenau Gwent alone, the project has supported over 900 young people to either remain in school; access employment or further learning; achieve qualifications or improve their soft skills which includes increasing self-esteem, confidence and well-being.
Executive Member for Education, Cllr Joanne Collins said:
“The Inspire 2 Work and Inspire 2 Achieve programmes have provided targeted support where it is really needed in order to help some of our most vulnerable young people either be supported in schools or to access employment and training opportunities they would not have otherwise. This has enabled them to achieve better outcomes and equip themselves for their future lives.
Importantly, it has helped some young people to overcome some significant barriers in their lives, improve their wellbeing, relation to mental and physical health issues; Additional Learning Needs and often low confidence to help them take steps towards a positive future.”
To read the report go to - http://democracy.blaenau-gwent.gov.uk/documents/s4746/Report.pdf?LLL=0