European Social Fund in England
2007 - 2013
North West Celebrates ESF Successes
The achievements of ESF providers and participants in the North West were celebrated at an awards event in Manchester on 27 June.
The event was organised by the Co-financing Organisations, Jobcentre Plus and the Learning and Skills Council (LSC), and hosted by ITV Granada presenter Lucy Meacock.
In the past four years Jobcentre Plus and LSC have worked with over 300 providers and supported over a thousand individual projects. Across the region over 250,000 people have been helped; with about 80,000 achieving qualifications and 50,000 securing jobs.
There were nine awards including two special awards for Provider Excellence and Individual Achievement.
The Wai Yin Chinese Women’s Society Construction Solutions project (pictured) won the Embracing Diversity Award and then scooped the Provider Excellence Award for supporting 120 women through practical skills training and taster sessions in the construction industry.
Speaking on behalf of the Society, project co-ordinator, Sheila Standard said, “We are totally overwhelmed, and happy for the recognition. We are planning lots of celebrations, including a party for all of our learners.”
The award winners also included John Scholes, who received the Individual Achievement Award for his determination to overcome significant barriers to work. Following training and a work placement funded by ESF, John now works at a centre for adults with substance abuse and mental health problems.
Receiving his award, John said, “I’ve got a great deal from my work as a unit advisor and I think the people I help can open up to me.”
John is one of over 250,000 people in the North West who have benefited from ESF projects co-financed by Jobcentre Plus and the Learning and Skills Council.