AM Welcomes Scheme

CARL SARGEANT AM WELCOMES REACT SCHEME
Carl Sargeant, AM for Alyn and Deeside, is welcoming today’s announcement of a £35 million scheme to help people who have been made redundant. The ReAct programme will help over 12,000 redundant workers gain new employment or training, and is made possible with over £15m from the European Social Fund, which is managed by the Assembly Government.As part of a package of measures provided by ReAct, redundant workers will receive a training grant designed to replace outdated skills with those sought by prospective employers. The new scheme will also help to remove barriers to training such as travel and accommodation costs. Over 1,000 employers will be encouraged to recruit redundant workers with a £2,000 wage subsidy – and will also receive grant support to enable their employees to undertake training to equip them with the skills they need for their new job.Mr Sargeant said: “This programme is tailor made for people who have been made redundant. It will help equip them with the skills and opportunities they need in these tough economic times. “The Welsh Assembly Government is committed to making every possible use of the opportunities of using European funding to promote prosperity for all our communities, and considers that ReAct will play a key part in helping Wales face up to the impact of the world-wide downturn.”