Employment project hailed success

A Shropshire employment programme is celebrating one year of success, having helped hundreds of people looking to develop their skills and confidence.
The Building Better Opportunities Shropshire Project, funded by the European Social Fund and the National Lottery, through the Big Lottery Fund, supports those furthest away from the labour market helping them move forwards into employment.
The programme, run by a partnership of 20 organisations led by Landau, is tackling poverty by helping locals build their confidence and skills, and tackle individual barriers to learning.
Nearly 700 individuals have already benefitted, including more than 300 with a disability. More than 200 of these individuals had been unemployed for over two years, and an equal amount lacked basic skills and motivation.
Thanks to work experience, volunteering opportunities and individually tailored support as part of the project, 84 locals have found work and further 124 have volunteered as a direct result of the program.

Sandie Dent, BBO Project Manager said: “We’ve had an extremely successful first year delivering BBO in Shropshire, supporting more than 680 people to increase their confidence and skills, and improve their chances of finding jobs.
“Thirty-seven of the people helped into employment by the project were from jobless households – securing work, income and independence have been a truly transformational achievement for them. We look forward to supporting more local people in this way over the coming year.”
From January 2018, Landau has also helped to erode barriers faced by the most disadvantaged people in Herefordshire. Delivering tailored support through a partnership of 11 organisations to those aged 19 or older, Landau hopes to further Herefordshire skills; instilling confidence and enabling disadvantaged individuals to move forward into employment.