A new flagship program from the Welsh Government, which will provide personalized support for people who are not currently in education, training or employment to find and keep a job, was launched today.
As the Welsh labor market recovers from the initial shock of Brexit and the pandemic – Wales is experiencing near-record unemployment – some people in Wales still face challenges and barriers to finding a job. use.
And the current social and economic situation means that some people, who were already facing barriers to employment, are now even more disadvantaged.
To help improve employment outcomes for these people and tackle rising rates of economic inactivity, the Welsh Government is investing in a new approach, which puts power back in people’s hands so they can find the good support through the new ReAct+ program.
ReAct+ builds on the success of the current ReAct program and will help empower job seekers in Wales with a straightforward application process, financial support and free career advice. It will ensure that flexible training is available alongside tailored support to overcome barriers to securing sustainable employment.
ReAct+ will provide people with a clear pathway from the Working Wales Employability Service to sustainable work and help people, especially those from vulnerable groups, to take advantage of employment opportunities. The launch of a new online application process will provide access to financial support and the tailored support system.
Launching the new scheme during a visit to a Working Wales center in Newport, Economy Minister Vaughan Gething said:
“We have near record unemployment in Wales, but we are not complacent. We want to do more to further reduce the number of unemployed adults, eliminate the economic inactivity gap and help everyone, including people who currently feel out of the labor market, to plan and build a prosperous future here in Wales. .
“Enabling people to access tailored, personalized budgets related to skills development and removing other barriers to employment is really important if we are to achieve this goal.
“We recognize that barriers to employment can be diverse and varied. React+ will allow people to tailor their employment support and it will be as unique as the people we want to help find jobs. This will help them overcome the obstacles they need to overcome – whether it’s help with child care costs, travel costs, mentorship or skills support.
“Learning from and building on the success of previous programs, we expect ReAct+ to help support thousands more people across Wales into employment. It forms a key part of our employability and skills plan, and will help us deliver our ambitious Youth Guarantee – which aims to ensure that no young person is left behind by the pandemic.
“We are committed to changing people’s lives for the better by creating a fairer and more equal Wales. ReAct+ will help us do that.
This is one of the commitments of the Welsh Government’s Employability and Skills Plan, which was launched earlier this year and focuses on improving labor market outcomes for people with disabilities, black, Asian and minority communities, women and low-skilled people.
Support will include:
- Up to £1,500 to support training
- Up to £4,500 to help with childcare or other care costs
- £300 to help with travel costs to make the training possible;
- £500 personal development support to help break down barriers at work – including mentoring support to build personal confidence and resilience.
- Access to wage subsidies to help people find jobs and training subsidies when you’re employed.
Employers participating in ReAct+ will receive first-year salary support for new employees, as well as funding for job-related training.
The new scheme is an important part of the Welsh Government’s ambitious Youth Guarantee, which brings together a wide range of programs designed to provide the right support to young people in Wales to help them plan and build a successful future. .
The Youth Guarantee promises everyone under the age of 25 an offer of work, education, training or self-employment with the aim of protecting a generation from the impacts of lost learning and delayed entry into the job market due to the pandemic, and to help make Wales a place where more young people feel confident planning their future.
Nikki Lawrence, chief executive of the Working Wales service, which is provided by Careers Wales, said:
“As an entry point for individuals to access the ReAct+ scheme, Working Wales will play a key role in helping to support those who are unemployed or have been made redundant, enabling progression into sustainable employment.
“Our bespoke, impartial and personalized career guidance and coaching service can support people in Wales and in particular those from vulnerable groups or those facing barriers to employment.
“Our expert career advisors and coaches want to help people find and secure the job opportunities that are right for them.
“We look forward to playing our part in supporting Wales’ economic recovery.”
For help getting started, call 0800 028 4844 or search Working in Wales ReAct+ talk to a Working Wales adviser.
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