Introduction
Somerset County Council has secured £563,000 of investment from the European Social Fund (ESF) to deliver the Somerset NEETs Project, SomersetWorks.
The project builds on the existing good practice within the Council’s Education Partnerships Service and South Somerset 14-19 Partnership, extending the range of provision available to young people on their journey from education to employment. It will provide new opportunities for young people in school years 11-13 who are, or at risk of, finding themselves, Not in Education, Employment or Training (NEET).
It covers two key activities:
- Year 11 provision – Talent Academies – a sector-based programme of ‘meaningful engagements’ with employers in key sectors; and Transition Courses – short vocational programmes identified through existing Transition Panels;
- Years 12-13 provision – additional resources from a countywide Transition ‘College’ targeted at students previously from Pupil Referral Unit (PRUs) and mainstream education who are not able or ready for post 16 education. Referral is through schools, colleges and PRUs.
Somerset County Council, Devon County Council and Yeovil College have contributed match-funding, bringing the total project value to just over £1,100,000.
Delivery will commence from 1 July 2020, with the new provision available to young people from 1 September 2020 until the end of June 2023.
The contract with the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), as the Managing Authority, is managed by the Council’s Economy and Planning Service, whilst operational activity is delivered by members of the Education Partnerships Service.
During the first six months of the project, the Council will be inviting training and support services providers to bid to deliver elements of the Transition College Support Services framework. To receive notification of this opportunity please register at www.supplyingthesouthwest.org.uk