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Thousands of youngsters helped to stay in education

Posted June 2019

Millions of pounds of EU funds have helped thousands of young people across South East Wales, at risk of dropping out of school, to remain in education or training to improve their employment prospects.

Inspire2Achieve is led by Newport City Council along with partners including Cardiff City Council, Vale of Glamorgan Council, Monmouthshire Council, Coleg Gwent, Cardiff and Vale College and Careers Wales.

The partnership has enabled funds to be secured from the EU to provide early support to young people aged 11 to 19 at risk of dropping out or becoming NEET (not in education, employment or training) when they leave full time education.

Newport Council’s Inspire to Work provides one to one mentoring, help with basic and personal skills and digital literacy to young people aged 16-24 who are able to gain qualifications, enter further education and secure employment.

The scheme, started in April 2016, has supported 2,376 young people to date. In Newport the operation has recently supported the 1000th young person to achieve this outcome.

Councillor Debbie Wilcox, leader of Newport City Council, said: “We recognise the importance of supporting young people who are at risk of slipping through the net and missing vital educational or training opportunities.”

Councillor Gail Giles, the council’s cabinet member for education and skills added: “As a council we have already made significant progress in reducing the number of Year 11 young people who are not in education, employment or training. Thanks to EU funding which supports the Inspire2Work scheme, we can help even more to achieve their potential.”

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