A MASSIVE cash grant will be used to train unemployed people in a run-down area of Southampton.
Out-of-work residents in the Outer Shirley area will be trained in building crafts, environmental maintenance or landscape gardening.
Current job vacancies in the area reflect the skills chosen for the project to be run by the Wheatsheaf Trust.
The £248,547 grant was approved by the Outer Shirley Regeneration Board following identification of a lack of employment- based training in the area.
Alan Allcock of the Wheatsheaf Trust said: "This project will provide an opportunity for complete beginners in building craft or environmental improvements to gain skills and experience in order to gain a job in this field of work.
"In addition, the practical work that will be carried out to improve the local en-vironment will have a positive effect on improving the appearance of the whole neighbourhood."
The programme will target the long-term unemployed, lone parents and people
suffering from ill health.
Regeneration Manager Adrian Millward said he was confident the project would have a big impact on the local community.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article