Pictured above: (l-r) Soji Olukunle, Abdul Majid (both from Working Links) Gwendolyne Orchard (EU Desk Officer) and Craig Henson (jobseeker)

A former steelworker, who fought to get back into work after suffering a serious accident and an ex-offender, who is turning his life around, are just two local people benefiting from a slice of £376 million Euro funding designed to boost jobs and skills.

Brussels-based Gwendolyne Orchard, an EU economist, whose remit includes monitoring how the funds are being used in this region, visited two Nottingham projects to meet those who are reaping the rewards of one-to-one coaching, vocational training and job-seeking advice, particularly in the current financial climate.  

The European Social Fund (ESF) backed by the Learning and Skills Council East Midlands (LSC) and Jobcentre Plus, is investing in more than £28 million for Nottinghamshire projects until the end of 2010.   

£376 million is being spent across the East Midlands for the whole ESF programme from 2007 to 2013.

Gwendolyne visited ESF projects run by Working Links, at its Queens Street site. The first, delivered on behalf of LSC East Midlands, helps former offenders to get back into work and training. Already the project has helped 1,300 former offenders get onto training courses, improving their job chances. The same provider is supporting long-term unemployed on behalf of Jobcentre Plus, via its flexible routeways project, which has helped 1,500 people back into work.

Benefiting from the latter scheme is Rocky Hastings, 27, from Bulwell, who is now working at a Jigsaw call centre in Nottingham thanks to ESF help and advice. He told Gwendolyne how he fought his way back to train for a new career after suffering a serious leg injury in his steelwork job. 

He said: "I ruptured my cruciate ligament at work and it now means I can't do any heavy lifting so that's why I've retrained for a new career. It's different but I love talking on the phone so I'm really enjoying my new job."

Gwendolyne said: "There's such a variety of ESF projects out there, so it's important that I get to see as many as I can first hand.  One thing that always impresses me is the passion of everyone involved in these projects. 

"I also got a real sense of how ESF is helping improve people's lives and helping the wider community, particularly when Nottinghamshire - and the rest of Europe - has suffered from such serious economic problems.

"2010 is the European year for combating poverty and social exclusion, which means projects such as those delivered by Working Links, have such a vital part to play." 

Gwendolyne heard how the project works closely with the probation service to help get offenders integrated back into the community, as research shows that offenders are 70 per cent less likely to reoffend if they are in work, training or education. 

She got the chance to meet one former offender Craig Henson, 27, from the Meadows, who told her about how the ESF project is helping him improve his confidence, train in new skills and general job-searching techniques.

Dozens of other projects across the county are offering one-to-one coaching, vocational training to help get people the right skills and qualifications for long-term employment.