Published 11 November 2021
West Dunbartonshire Council has successfully bid for funding for two local projects through the UK Government’s Community Renewal Fund.
The £220million Community Renewal Fund was introduced to invest in skills, community and place, local business, and supporting people into employment.
After submitting bids, two were chosen to receive funding through the scheme.
Community Links Scotland’s Health Pathways initiative was awarded £29,968 to provide a series of skills development courses for people with health-related challenges assisting them to prepare for, and move into, work.
The project will support 45 people; 10 of whom will move into education/training and 35 will be engaged in developing life skills.
The other successful bid saw West College Scotland’s West Care Academy awarded £296,397. The skills programme enables people to enter the Care sector; assist care workers to develop their skills; build collaboration in care businesses; and address pandemic recovery challenges.
The Academy will support 172 people with 115 developing skills in the workplace and the remainder seeking work in the care sector.
Both projects were chosen under the scheme’s priority of Investment in Skills, and must be financially complete by June 2022.
Councillor Diane Docherty, Convener of Housing and Communities, said: “Congratulations to both of these projects. This funding is well deserved and will help the projects deliver a great service for our communities, giving our residents even more opportunities to gain new skills and enhance their training.”
Councillor Ian Dickson added: “I am pleased to see these two projects, which will help raise aspirations and support people into employment, have been successful in their bids for funding. Congratulations to all involved and I look forward to hearing their success stories in the near future.”
West Dunbartonshire Council will now enter into a funding agreement with successful bidders, and monitor their progress.