Nine further projects in Conservative-led East Sussex have benefitted from funding to support training and boost employability.
The Skills Capital Fund has already helped 11 projects in the area including a digital skills classroom, virtual reality healthcare training and the creation of a community carpentry studio.
Now nine more of the 23 bids received by East Sussex County Council for a share of the £1 million Government fund including the fitting out of a new artist residency studio, the development of two private learning pods, and the purchase of IT equipment to support young people who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless.
Conservative Cllr Penny Di Cara, lead member for economy said: “We are delighted to announce these additional grants for Hastings and Rother, which will provide further opportunities for specific groups of learners in our community. These projects will support the local economy and residents by ensuring a skilled workforce and relevant training.”
The new projects, chosen by a panel including East Sussex County Council, officers from Rother and Hastings Councils and a representative from the Local Skills Improvement Partnership (LSIP), are varied and far-reaching;
In Hastings
- Hastings Library – two private learning pods, to facilitate delivery of reading, digital and computer skills, improving employment opportunities for local residents
- Hastings Museum & Art Gallery – purchase of advanced digitisation and 3D capture technology to catalogue collection, offering Careers Workshops, Open Door, Work Experience and Placement opportunities using the latest technologies
- Hastings Voluntary Action – AV Screens and hearing loops, supporting delivery of employability skills to those farthest from the workplace
- The Refugee Buddy Project – Catering and IT equipment for the Dove Café, which supports refugees to develop employability skills for work in the hospitality sector
- YMCA Downslink – IT equipment to support young people who are homeless, or at risk of becoming homeless, to learn new skills and access employment opportunities
- YMCA Hastings & Rother – Capital works and IT equipment to expand delivery of the Junior Volunteer Training Scheme, which helps young people develop work-related skills.
Across Rother District
- De La Warr Pavilion – Resource development and kits to support careers activities and pop-up work experience with creatives, with specialist equipment to improve access
- Flatland Projects CIC - Capital works to complete internal fit out of a new artists residency studio, offering free, accessible opportunities for young people to test and develop new approaches to their creative businesses
- London Learning Consortium (DV8, Bexhill) – Resources and equipment to develop a Digital/Creative Careers Centre and enhance programme delivery, with specialist sector technologies.
