PoLHA training programme receives over £200,000 funding

Port-of-LeithPort of Leith Housing Association’s (PoLHA) training programme for young people Training Opportunities in Lothian (TOiL) has secured over £200,000 funding which will allow it to expand its services into East Lothian.

The TOiL Programme provides 18 week, paid work experience placements to young, unemployed people alongside in-house training and career guidance. Training placements are with local firms in a variety of sectors and occupations.

The increased levels of funding will allow up to 85 young people to participate in the TOiL Programme in 2015/16. In addition, it will continue to support PoLHA tenants with employability issues through an Employability Officer, while an additional Employability Officer will be working with adults within the wider community facing employment barriers due to disability or ill health.

John Murray manages the TOiL programme. He said: “We are delighted to have received this significant sum of money to continue to support young people into sustainable employment.

“In 2014/15 TOiL supported 76 per cent of trainees into employment, modern apprenticeships or further education against a national average of 44 per cent which is our most successful year to date.

“It is TOiL’s ambition to deliver a similar level of success with a greater number of individuals this year.”

Skills Development Scotland’s Employability Fund, the City of Edinburgh Council’s Improving Employability Fund and The People and Communities Fund have provided the funding.

@PortofLeithHA

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