ESSEX County Council is investing £1.7 million to support residents into employment.

The money will fund three new programmes, one of which will help more young people get into work. The others will expand speech and language support for children and boost adult literacy. 

This will give residents of all ages a strong foundation for future learning and success.

The three new programmes are:

• an Essex Job Guarantee Scheme
• new and expanded speech and language communications hubs
• support for adults who are ‘work ready’ with their reading and writing skills

The Essex job guarantee scheme will provide 125 paid work placements. The first of these will begin later this spring and are aimed at 16 to 19-year-olds. It will give them experience in sectors including construction, tourism, health and social care. Once employed, individuals will receive coaching and support into apprenticeships and further training. 

The scheme will provide a vital first step for young people onto the career ladder. It will help connect them to businesses looking to recruit the talent that can see them grow and expand.    

This is part of the council’s work to reduce youth unemployment. There will be a particular focus on supporting NEETs. This is young people who are not in education, employment or training.

New funding will also help the county’s youngest residents. Speech and language communications hubs will open in Basildon, Canvey and Braintree. Four already in operation in Tendring, Colchester and Harlow will be expanded. 

The hubs deliver targeted communications programmes to primary school children. Teachers, teaching assistants and Early Years Practitioners will deliver training and support. They will work with young children on their speech, language and listening skills. 

Funding will also boost adult literacy. This builds on the success of the ‘Essex Year of‘ programmes. This will help adults build confidence in reading, writing and digital skills. It will also help improve future employment prospects. 

Councillor Louise McKinlay, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Communities, Transformation and Economic Growth, said: “I am delighted to announce this significant investment to support our residents. These programmes are so important in reducing barriers to education and employment. 

“The targeted support will provide essential skills that will enhance and develop our future workforce and their potential to thrive.     

“Four years ago we started work on levelling up our county and I am incredibly proud of all that we have achieved. These programmes will form part of the legacy of work we have introduced to improve the lives of everyone in Essex, leading to more opportunities and better lives.”

Councillor Tony Ball, Cabinet Member for Education Excellence, Lifelong Learning and Employability, said: “The new funding supports our residents from early years to further years. It supports some of our most important programmes of work, such as the Essex Year of Opportunity. 

“It is vital that an all-age approach is taken to supporting skills development and together, these programmes point to a much brighter future for our residents.”