Council announces extension to pioneering employment project

Rossendale Council has announced an extension to a pioneering local employment project that has helped hundreds of people in the two years since it launched.

The scheme, Rossendale Works, is designed to encourage people to initially participate in physical activity before helping them back into employment through work experience and training, matching them with local businesses who have placement opportunities.

Once a person has successfully passed through the programme, with their confidence enhanced and feeling ready to enter the world of work, the Council engages with local employers to find appropriate 4-8 week placements for them.

Businesses can offer further support by offering a role within the company or alternatively by giving a reference for future opportunities.

In the two years since it launched as a pilot scheme 222 residents have been involved in the Rossendale Works project with 200 of those taking part in activities or volunteering.

67 residents have completed in placements with 56 actually moving into employment.

Rossendale Works is managed by the Council with Active Lancashire and the Department for Work and Pensions.

Following the Council’s decision to extend, the project will run for another two years until March 2022.

Alyson Barnes, Leader of Rossendale Council, said:

This has been a project Rossendale Council has lead the way on and I am delighted that we will be extending it. The numbers speak for themselves – this has been a fantastic opportunity to provide hundreds of our unemployed residents with extra support and open up new doors to access employment and find the right job. I am excited at the prospect of all the people we will be able to help over the next few years.

If you are a business interested in offering work placement opportunities to support this project, or for more information, contact Rossendale Council’s Economic Development Team on (01706) 252480 or email: economicdevelopment@rossendalebc.gov.uk