Back-to-work project awarded £19m

The new service aims to get 2,000 people into work by 2010

A project aimed at getting 2,000 people in North Lanarkshire into employment by 2010 has been launched by Skills Minister Maureen Watt.

The North Lanarkshire's Working scheme will offer a "one-stop-shop" service for the long-term unemployed, lone parents and young people.

The initiative has secured a funding package of £19m and is backed by the local council and three local colleges.

Residents will receive support and training to help them find employment.

Ms Watt said: "The Scottish Government believes that all Scots should have the chance to undertake training and find employment.

"This is particularly important for hard to reach groups, such as those caught in the trap of long-term unemployment."

She added: "North Lanarkshire's Working is an excellent new initiative that will help to bridge this gap and ensure that more people are able to improve their skills and move on to new employment opportunities."

North Lanarkshire has the second highest number of deprived neighbourhoods in Scotland and high economic inactivity, with one-in-five of the working age population not in employment and one-in-eight claiming incapacity benefit.

It's brilliant to be doing something worthwhile and it's so rewarding to see the kids getting better and better every week Alan Lynch Sports coach Read Alan's story in full

However, the region has experienced significant regeneration in recent years with 18,000 new jobs created since 2000 and an additional 7,000 jobs forecast over the next 10 years.

North Lanarkshire's Working is a partnership which includes North Lanarkshire Council, Routes to Work Ltd, Motherwell, Cumbernauld and Coatbridge Colleges, North Lanarkshire Volunteer Centre and Clyde Valley Housing Association.

The scheme will also target those on incapacity benefits, young homeless people and those with learning disabilities or mental health issues who may have struggled in the past to find work.

Residents will receive one-to-one support from dedicated key workers and be given the opportunity to take part in training programmes and apprenticeships.

Sporting chance

Maureen McConachie, head of regeneration services at North Lanarkshire Council, said: "This offers us a unique opportunity to deliver a real generational change in the area, tackling some of the barriers which have traditionally prevented people from entering the job market.

One of the first people to benefit from the scheme was 19-year-old Alan Lynch from Cambusnethan near Wishaw.

He is training as a sports coach and working with the Scottish Rugby Union after taking part in the Sporting Chance programme run by the North Lanarkshire Volunteer Centre.

He is hoping to go to university to train as a PE teacher.

Alan said: "I couldn't be happier with the work I'm doing now.

"It's exhausting to be doing so much exercise every day, but it's brilliant to be doing something worthwhile and it's so rewarding to see the kids getting better and better every week."