Jobs project in North Lanarkshire gets 2,000 into work

A conference was held to mark the back-to-work scheme's success

A project aimed at getting lone parents, long-term unemployed and young people in North Lanarkshire into work has exceeded its targets.

North Lanarkshire's Working initiative was launched in October 2008 and aimed to get 1,900 into employment by 2010.

It was designed to offer a "one-stop-shop" service, providing training and advice.

To date, it has given support to 6693 people and 2,092 have successfully secured a job.

Almost 1,900 people have been assisted into training or education to help them gain new skills.

The two-year project is backed by the local council and three local colleges.

Speaking at a North Lanarkshire's Working conference, Scottish Secretary Jim Murphy praised the scheme's approach.

He said: "Lanarkshire was hit hard by the recession.

The successful partnership that has worked so effectively for North Lanarkshire in the past two years will continue to help those furthest from the labour market Maureen McConachie North Lanarkshire Council

"I am greatly impressed by the progress which has been made since the job summit I attended in June last year.

"To hear that the North Lanarkshire's Working partnership has exceeded its own targets is fantastic and clearly shows what can be achieved when organisations work together."

In the past six months, 400 vacancies have also been created for unemployed young people in Lanarkshire as part of the Future Jobs Fund initiative.

A funding package of £10m has been secured to extend the North Lanarkshire's Working scheme for a further year.

Maureen McConachie, head of regeneration services at North Lanarkshire Council, said: "These are challenging economic times but it is important that we plan and invest now to ensure that we are in a strong position to move out of recession and that those individuals who do need additional support are ready to take up the opportunities available.

"The future is bright for North Lanarkshire - flagship developments such as Maxim Office Park, which has the potential to create 8000 jobs, and the Scottish Crime Campus at Gartcosh, show the employment opportunities that do still exist."