THOUSANDS of young people from South East Wales are set to benefit from a new skills programme backed by £6.7m of EU funds.

Delivered across the region, the Inspire2Work initiative will provide intensive support to out-of-work 16-24 year olds who face significant challenges to getting into work.

The investment will fund a range of support including mentoring and counselling, and courses to improve basic skills, self-esteem and digital literacy.

Finance Secretary, Mark Drakeford announced the funding for Inspire2Work as part of a wider £26m EU-backed investment to help young people across Wales into work.

Mark Drakeford, said, ‘These projects are further examples of the importance of Wales receiving replacement funding from the UK Government post-Brexit so that we can to provide much needed opportunities for young people and help them secure a prosperous future’.

Cllr Dai Davies, Executive Member for Regeneration and Economic Development from Blaenau Gwent County Borough Council said, ‘We welcome the news of this funding and the support that young people will receive through this initiative.

‘The partnership project will provide support to some of the most vulnerable young people in our society. It will help these young people address the significant, often complex barriers that prevent them from achieving their full potential and leading economically active lives’.