TEENAGERS in Calderdale are to get a helping hand.
Some £500,000 is being made available to help improve the life chances of 16 and 17 year-olds in the borough.
The money will go towards helping to reduce the number of children and young people not in employment, education or training (Neet).
Calderdale Council has agreed with the government that it will reduce from 8.3% to 6.4% the percentage of youngsters who are not in employment, education or training (Neet) by 2010-11.
Members of the Council’s children and young people scrutiny panel approved the plans.
A report outlined a range of provision through different services and agencies to help young people into education, employment and training, including:
Tailored packages of activities, including skills training and personal development opportunities and personal; support.
Support to help build young people’s confidence so that they can get back into learning.
The report also outlined how a consortium, including Calderdale and Kirklees Councils and Calderdale and Kirklees colleges successfully bid for money to address the needs of the most vulnerable.
Clr Megan Swift said: “We will be looking closely at what Calderdale can do with its partners to ensure that young people do not 'fall through the gaps', when times are tough. If there are barriers, we need to understand and overcome them.”
