LSC Celebrates Helping 17,000 Learners Across Essex to Develop Skills

£17.5 million of investment from the European Social Fund (ESF) has helped more than 17,000 across the county into work, learning or to develop their skills in their existing jobs, the Learning and Skills Council (LSC) Essex announced at a recent celebratory event.

The current six-year European Social Fund (ESF) programme is coming to a close during which time more than 150 projects have been allocated funding by LSC Essex.
To mark the success of the funding programme, LSC Essex celebrated with a 'fun afternoon' and awards presentation event at Towerlands in Braintree on Friday 12 October. Around 350 people attended, including learners, employers and project providers who have benefited from the funding programme. Designed to recognise the hard work and achievements of all those involved in the funded projects, fun activities were available for all attendees to take part in, including a wild west rodeo bull, human table football, bungee run and crazy golf.

Alison McCleave, ESF Contracts Manager for LSC Essex, said: "ESF helps people who need additional support to enter work by helping break down barriers and develop their potential by training people who lack basic skills and qualifications.

"This event celebrated the achievement of the projects in Essex with the support of ESF money and provided an ideal opportunity to thank and congratulate those who manage and have taken part in the projects."

Richard Howitt MEP gave a speech on the impact ESF funding has had on the people of Essex before cutting a celebration cake and making award presentations. Awards included 'Personal Achievement Award', 'Inspirational Mentor/Tutor Award', 'Employer Dedicated to Learning Award' and 'Champion of Learning in Workplace Award'.

The Get Ready programme delivery team at Braintree College received the 'ESF Contract Advisor Award' for their outstanding work and engagement with long-term NEET learners aged 16-18 and for their innovative new pre-Entry to Employment provision and Get Ready Programme Manager Tracy McCormack received the award for 'Inspirational Mentor/Tutor'. Five Get Ready students also received awards including 'Most Distance Travelled', 'Most Inspirational Learner' and 'Most Motivated Learner'.