Around 1,400 people across Liverpool City Region are set to be given help to brush up their English and maths skills to improve their employment prospects.
The £3 million scheme, made up of European Social Fund and Skills Funding Agency cash, is aimed at people already in work and unemployed people who volunteer in Liverpool, Sefton, Knowsley, Wirral and St Helen’s.
It will also support those with disabilities or health problems; who are aged 50 plus or from a minority ethnic community.
It is also projected that 245 people will be encouraged on to an apprenticeship programme, or further and higher education or training.
Councillor Nick Small, Cabinet member for employment and skills, said: “We have a huge skills gap in Liverpool City Region and this is about supporting people who are already in work or are volunteering to improve their English and maths to help them achieve their potential.
“This will improve future employment prospects and mean that we have a workforce that is well placed to take advantage of new job opportunities.”
For Liverpool to match the England average for skills, it needs almost 33,000 fewer people with no qualifications.
Liverpool will receive just over £1 million of the total fund, and the scheme will be delivered by the Adult Learning Service.
A report recommending acceptance of the funding will be considered by the council’s Cabinet on Friday 15 August.
