The Minister for Welsh Language and Lifelong Learning, Eluned Morgan, today thanked all those, whether staff or participants, who were involved in reaching this milestone.
This was published under the 2016 to 2021 administration of the Welsh Government
“I can’t thank the programme enough, it has given me the confidence needed to reach my goals”, Firefighter, Adele.
“I can finally provide my children with a life they deserve”, Morgan, mum of two.
“I couldn’t be prouder of what I’ve done for my daughter and I”, Chanelle, self-employed painter.
These are the comments of some of the 1000 parents who have been helped back to work by the Parents, Childcare and Employment programme (PaCE).
Supported by the European Social Fund and operated in partnership with the Department for Work and Pensions, the scheme plays a key part in the Welsh Government’s Employability Plan and aims to provide support for economically inactive parents to overcome childcare barriers, enabling them to prepare for and access employment opportunities.
The scheme has helped parents like Adele, a young mum with a small baby. She wanted to do something to make a difference and enrolled onto a fire safety course where she was introduced to the PaCE Programme. Her advisor helped her gain the qualifications needed to become a firefighter. She now works for the Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service.
Morgan is another lone parent helped by PaCE. After a spell of unemployment she sought help from a PaCE advisor who helped her secure childcare for her two children and training to get back into the workplace. She also received practical advice on interview techniques and drafting a CV. As a result, she found work within two miles of her home which enabled her to maintain a work-life balance. She eventually gained a promotion, and her employer, Al-Met, is allowing her one day release a week to complete a fully funded Level 3 Diploma in Accounting.
Chanelle was an unemployed single parent who previously worked as a delivery driver. She needed a job with more flexibility and wanted to set up her own painting and decorating business. The PaCE programme helped her to achieve this by providing support to get on to a college course, win a start-up grant and obtain advice on how to get a loan for a company vehicle. She now runs The Lady Paint and Decor Co. which won gold in the Crown New Entrant painting competition last year.
The Minister for Welsh Language and Lifelong Learning said,
“This is a great achievement and I thank everyone for their hard work in supporting these 1000 parents back into work. Our Employability Plan outlines our commitment to removing the barriers which prevent people from working and ensuring individuals are trained, educated and prepared for the world of work.
“Adele, Morgan and Chanelle are examples of the PaCE scheme successfully delivering on that commitment through helping parents seek affordable childcare, find appropriate training opportunities and secure jobs with flexible working hours to help them into sustainable employment. I’m pleased to see this scheme is having such an impact and enabling parents to access work so that they too can contribute to our society.”
PaCE advisors have been working closely with the Childcare Offer for Wales to ensure parents can secure childcare once they are in sustainable employment. The Childcare Offer is currently being tested in a number of local authorities and will be made available to all eligible parents from September 2020.