The Department for Work and Pensions has now officially announced the list of providers who will be delivering programmes investing in jobs and skills, through it’s European Social Funds.

Working Links have been named as the prime provider for two contracts for Devon, Cornwall and the Scilly Isles, namely Cornwall Works Plus and Torbay Works Plus. 

Both programmes are based on supporting local people who are considered to be economically inactive, and helping them progress into sustainable employment. There will also be very close involvement with local employers, advising them on additional training to support their new recruit and help them to develop new skills.

Both contracts will be operational from 23^rd June this year, with at least 60% of jobseekers coming from specific target groups such as workless parents, incapacity benefit claimants, the over 50s and those who consider themselves to have multiple barriers to employment.

Working Links has over eight years of success at delivering welfare to work initiatives in the South West of England, and has already helped over 9,000 unemployed people in the region start suitable work. It already delivers the Employment Zone, Progress 2 Work, Pathways to Work and a specialist service for unemployed single parents in the South West, and around 70 other similar projects around the UK.  It will soon be celebrating having assisted 100,000 unemployed people find suitable and sustainable work across the country, and currently helps someone find work every seven minutes