A Millom-based charity, which offers training opportunities and apprenticeships has been praised by Conservative candidate Trudy Harrison as playing a key role in helping the unemployed into work.
The Work and Skills Centre at Unit 3 is one of five employment sites in Cumbria set up with the support of the Cumbria Business Growth Hub. It offers life-skills training, as well as GCSEs and adult education.
It was set up by the Millom Network Centre charity, founded by Chief Executive Paul Stewart and a number of others in the town to offer training, including the Department for Work and Pensions Flexible Support Programme, which last year saw 50 unemployed people given access to a number of courses and skills-based training, of which 18 secured employment.
Praising the scheme, Trudy said: “I'm truly inspired by the work of the team at Unit 3. They are really dedicated and committed in helping people in the heart of their community.
“Training opportunities and apprenticeships are a key priority as part of my six point plan for Copeland and I really look forward to working with Paul and everyone involved with Unit 3 if elected.”
Talking about the charity, Paul, who helped set the centre up with support from the Big Lottery, Copeland Community Fund and the Police and Crime Commissioner’s office, said:
“It was great to meet up with Trudy. She’s always shown an interest in our project, someone who is as passionate about their community as our team are here.
“We realised the importance of offering training and apprentices in Millom as many people can’t afford to travel to other areas to benefit from such opportunities.
“So far we have had initial funding to secure the site and get some activity up and running including the DWP Flexible Support Programme. This year we have one more contract with the DWP for 40 unemployed and target of 12 into employment.”