Shaw Trust working in partnership with Bridge Farm Nurseries Ltd, will work with young people to train them in Horticulture and to give them the opportunity to achieve an NVQ level qualification in pot plant production.
Lesley Knapton, Regional Business Manager for Shaw Trust said, "We are delighted that our partnership with Bridge Farm Nurseries Ltd has attracted funding from the European Union's LEADER+ programme."
"We have an excellent working relationship with Bridge Farm Nurseries Ltd and we are also linking in with the Spalding Horticultural Training Group who provide assessment and support which enables young people to achieve their NVQ Level I in horticulture"
"This additional funding will enable us to recruit a Training and Placement Officer who will work with our existing Alternative Curriculum Development Officer in support of the project."
"We anticipate that over 40 disadvantaged, disaffected young people currently on Lincolnshire's 'Solutions 4' project, or who attend special schools or indeed who attend our disability employment project in Spalding will access the project over the next two years", she continued.
Tony Ball of Bridge Farm Nurseries Ltd said, "There are many young people that for one reason or another do not excel in the school environment."
"The grant award from the Lincolnshire Fenland LEADER+ group will allow the Shaw Trust and ourselves to give the opportunity for some of these young people to obtain a nationally recognised vocational award in Horticulture."
"We all hope that the youngsters will take advantage of this opportunity and go on to have successful careers in Horticulture".
Jo Finlow from the local LEADER + Action group explained, "LEADER+ is a European Community Initiative that co-funds small-scale, innovative projects such as this, which address local rural development issues. It is a joint initiative by the European Agricultural Guidance and Guarantee Fund (EAGGF) and the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA)".
Ends
Editors Notes
1. Shaw Trust Spalding already supports people through a variety of training and qualification opportunities: • Business administration /IT - offering VAC (Vocational Access Certificate), NVQ to Level II. General administration tasks, switchboard, post etc. • Basic Skills - offering basic literacy and numeracy training, Certificate in Adult Literacy & Numeracy, life skills, Key Skills, Job Club. • Young People's Service offers vocational support for year 10 and 11 year olds • Catering/Housekeeping - offering NVQ Housekeeping, Serving Table and Tray, Basic Food Hygiene Certificate & Social Skills. • Learn Direct Centre For further information, contact Area Manager, Brian Merritt on 01775 712414 or fax: 01775 712525.
2. Shaw Trust is a national charity which provides training and work opportunities for people disadvantaged in the labour market through disability, long term ill health or other social circumstances. With a network of over 1000 staff and over 120 projects throughout the UK, we provide opportunities for over 40,000 people each year.www.shaw-trust.org.uk
3. This project is part-financed by the European Agricultural Guidance and Guarantee Fund (EAGGF) of the European Union and the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) LEADER+ covers the whole of the European Union, with the England programme managed by DEFRA.
4. The LEADER+ programme operates on the ground through a Local Action Group, who have a development plan with aims and objectives for their area. They in turn work with the regional Government Office who deliver the England LEADER+ programme in the region for DEFRA.
5. Lincolnshire Fenland LEADER+ is the name of the Local Action Group programme in the south Holland area of Lincolnshire.
6. For more information, click here: www.defra.gov.uk/erdp/leader
7. For general media enquiries, please contact Evelyn O'Keefe, Shaw Trust, 16-19 Britannia House, Brignell Road, Middlesbrough TS2 1PS. Tel: 01325 462339 or 07974 224 938, email evelyn.okeefe@shaw-trust.org.uk
