Copeland Council’s mayor Mike Starkie presents a £25k cheque in support of the project which offers IT facilities and training to all unemployed Copeland residents.

A FIVE-FIGURE cash boost will enhance the employment prospects of Copeland residents.

Copeland Council has donated £25,000 to Phoenix Enterprise Centre, Cleator Moor, which will part fund its latest employment support project.

Copeland Council’s mayor Mike Starkie presented the cheque in support of the project which offers IT facilities and training to all unemployed Copeland residents.

Image (l to r): Helen Conway, projects coordinator, Copeland Community Fund; Joanne Crowe, operations manager, Phoenix Enterprise Centre; Mike Starkie, mayor, Copeland Council; Grace Starkey, lead advice and guidance, Phoenix Enterprise Centre.

The project aims to benefit around 600 people with the hope of ensuring that 400 people will become more confident using IT and 100 people will secure employment.

The scheme aims to support some of the most vulnerable members of the community who often find themselves unemployed, inactive, digitally excluded and at times sliding into mental illness.

IT drop-in centres are operating at Phoenix House, Cleator Moor in addition to Harbour Youth Project (Whitehaven), De Lucy Centre (Egremont) and Millom Network Centre and each will offer a range of IT support to the unemployed.

Mr Starkie said: “We’re proud to be supporting initiatives like this, which aim to support the unemployed in Copeland by enhancing their IT skills.

“It’s important that those who are applying for jobs have the right skills to keep up with modern technology and don’t feel excluded when looking for employment.

“I’d encourage all those who do feel they need to learn more about IT in order to get back into work to go along to the drop-in centres and access the help on offer.

“And I wish all those in the borough who are applying for jobs the best of luck.”

Other organisations supporting the project include; Copeland Community Fund, £69,166, Department of Work & Pensions, £48,000, The Phoenix Enterprise Centre, £13,249.

The project will run until January 31, 2018.

David Moore, chair of the Copeland Community Fund Board, said: “The Fund is delighted to continue to support an organisation which works with unemployed individuals across Copeland; supporting them to undertake jobsearch, apply for jobs, training and eligible benefits.

“The Fund has always prioritised work and skills and will continue to do so.”