With the cost-of-living crisis continuing to squeeze household income, Sovereign is continuing its partnership with Southern to help more residents on the Isle of Wight find meaningful training and work opportunities.
Managed by the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Community Foundation, The Solent Supporting Employment Programme has been set up to reach and work with individuals facing complex barriers to employment, enabling them to move closer towards or into employment.
Skills 4 Work is completely free, and open to anyone aged 16 and over and not in paid employment or full-time education. Launched in April 2021, the programme is designed to develop employability skills and is open to all Island residents, regardless of whether they live in a Sovereign home.
Originally due to end this summer, the IOW Skills 4 Work programme has been extended and awarded further funding. This is a direct result of its success – with 100 individuals enrolling and 40 securing employment to date.
Erica Watts, Head of Employment and Training at Sovereign said:
“We have a proven track record when it comes to helping our customers into employment. Over the financial last year, and across all our employment related programmes, we helped over 400 individuals either find work, or better paid work.
“The Skills 4 Work programme on the Isle of Wight really builds on this success, by extending our comprehensive community investment programme to all IOW residents and those living in communities where we operate.
Jacqui Scott, CEO at the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Community Foundation said:
“HIWCF is delighted to be supporting the Sovereign Skills 4 Work initiative with a grant of £25,230. This employment and training programme will have a huge impact on residents from low-income communities, and particularly on residents who may have multiple barriers to employment.
“This project is part of a wider three year and £1.76 million Solent Supporting Employment Grant Programme which is providing grants of between £30,000 – £60,000 to local organisations in the Solent Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) area, to help individuals facing complex barriers to employment, particularly where deprivation and unemployment are high.”
The Hampshire and IOW Skills 4 Work programmes are currently open for referrals. For more information on either and to make a referral, please email [email protected]
What about people who have a summer job, or a very few hours a week, no help?
? The article does mention that they also help people find “better” jobs.
Not in paid work or education, read it
It says not working or not in full education
A marvellous idea and it will perhaps help those on benefits pay at least something towards their subsidised rent.
Well done Sovereign
There are plenty of jobs out there for people willing to work!