Coventry will host a
transnational meeting this weekend to further its involvement in a European Union project
designed to increase the employability of people from disadvantaged groups.
INTEGRA is a programme which through training and community development raises the
employment potential of the long term unemployed, former drug users, ethnic minorities,
older people and other groups often disadvantaged in the work market. It is dependant on
local and transnational partnership working to attract funding.
Two INTEGRA projects operate within Coventry – ‘Key Skills For Tomorrow’
and ‘ Action Learning For Local Development’. Both projects are led by the city
council’s Community Education Service and local partners include Coventry and
Warwickshire Universities, groups from the voluntary sector and a private company.
Transnational partners include the French Ministry of Education, the Italian province of
Treviso, a network of local authorities in Spain, adult education groups from Germany, a
Paris based not for profit raining organisation, and a community based organisation
working with families of drug users in Dublin.
Cllr Kevin Maton, chair of the city council’s training policy team, said:
"Coventry City Council is committed to creating jobs and helping people into
employment and is delighted to be part of this transnational partnership. The INTEGRA
programme has led to the development of two very positive local projects which aim to
redress many of the inequalities facing certain groups as they seek employment. Being able
to provide for yourself through work offers self esteem and self worth. INTEGRA offers
genuine support along the path to employment. It equips people already disadvantaged
within our society with the skills to overcome one of the barriers they face."
The three day meeting, at Warwick University, will allow partners to share information
and experience as they strategies for working with disadvantaged groups. Working groups
will concentrate on five themes:
