FLYING THE FLAG FOR EUROPE

This spring will see the launch of the exciting new 2007-2013 Programme being introduced by the European Social Fund (ESF). It will focus on extending employment opportunities and developing a skilled and adaptable workforce throughout the UK.

The LSC has secured £842m, for the first three years of the new ESF programme across its nine regions, having reconfirmed its status as an ESF co-financing organisation.

Ebrahim Dockrat, ESF contracts director for the LSC in Yorkshire and the Humber, explained how the ESF programme would benefit the region: "Some £140m of the funding has been assigned to the Yorkshire and Humber region and South Yorkshire has been designated a "Phasing In" region. This is in recognition of South Yorkshire achieving Objective 1 status in the previous ESF programme and £83.5m of the funds are ring fenced for use in the sub region."

The LSC has worked closely with key partners at regional, sub regional and local level to identify the priorities for the programme.

One of the first initiatives of the 2007-2013 Programme will be the celebration of Europe Day on 9 May 2008, which will encourage organisations to hold activities and festivities that bring the citizens of the European Union closer to one another.

Since 2000, the ESF has helped four million people in England to develop their employability skills. This new project will cover the whole of England ranging from national initiatives through to local activities with the support of Jobcentre Plus.

Each year, £180m will be available to the programme's first priority, which will focus on increasing the employment rate and overcoming barriers to work faced by disadvantaged groups. A further £100m will concentrate on developing a skilled and adaptable workforce and improving adult basic skills.