South Wales Evening Post 02.08.2003

£1.1m backing for jobs scheme

A GROUND-BREAKING Swansea scheme helping people with disabilities improve their job prospects has scooped a £1.1 million grant.

The Welsh European Funding Office is tripling its grant for the Partnership for Employment project, managed by Swansea's social services department in partnership with Gorseinon College and the Welsh Initiative for Supported Employment.

The project arranges employment placements and provides clients with individual support to help them prosper.

Over the last two years they have helped more than 340 people with disabilities join the workforce with employers ranging from Swansea Council to a whole range of private-sector businesses.

Swansea Council's cabinet member for social services, John Davies, said: "We are delighted at the announcement. It puts an end to speculation that the scheme would run into funding difficulties this year and means that we can build on the progress made so far."