A PARTNERSHIP set up to regenerate one of Wales’s poorest council estates has won almost £250,000 to create jobs.
The money has been awarded to the Caia Park Partnership through the Intermediate Labour Market (ILM) project, which is funded by the Welsh Assembly and European cash.
The funding will allow 48 local people to go through a programme to develop their skills and will provide four months’ employment in catering, retail, care work and woodcraft.
Caia Park is the largest council-built estate in North Wales and the partnership was set up by local people, church leaders and councillors to provide services and facilities to regenerate the estate and support residents.
The programme is targeting the long-term unemployed including lone parents, young people and people with a health condition or disability which means their work is affected.
Everyone taking part will gain new qualifications and it is hoped more than half will go into permanent jobs at the end of the programme.
Paul Rogers, 20, from Wrexham is one of the first people to go through Caia Park’s ILM programme.
Out of work for two years, Paul is now working in an administrative role and developing office-based skills and qualifications.
He said: “This programme is really boosting my confidence and I’ve already gained a new qualification in the short time I’ve been here.
“It’s been a great way to get back into work.”