European Social Fund (ESF) programme allocation

23rd September 2015

The Highland Council welcomes the announcement of the approval to this first stage of the roll-out of the new European Social Fund (ESF) Employability Programme for Highland which will be operating up to December 2018.

This will allow the Council and Partners to develop the detailed operational programmes, which will deliver services to people with barriers to employment and provide incentives to employment for small and medium enterprises in Highland.

The focus will be on young people and those who have been longer term unemployed or economically inactive through family, health or other circumstances. The programmes will include pre-employment training and personal confidence building, work experience placements and recruitment incentives.

The announcement has been welcomed by Council Leader Margaret Davidson who said: "This is an important milestone towards providing a series of interventions that are aimed at tackling poverty in Highland, by enabling people to enter employment. Highland has a growing economy and it is important that we work together to ensure that as many people as possible are able to take up the opportunities that are available.

"It is important to note that the £5,170,000 of European Social Fund will be matched pound for pound by the Highland Council as Lead Partner for this intervention, along with contributions by some of our partners. Together, we are making a very significant upfront investment, in helping people into work and stimulating growth of our economy in the Highlands. "

The confirmation of this first stage approval was noted at The Highland Council meeting on 3 September.