TWO programmes to help people find jobs are being extended after the Welsh Government stepped in to replace funding previously provided by the European Union. 

The government says it will also extend the Communities for Work (CfW) and Parents, Childcare and Employment (PaCE) schemes, from next year, as the EU schemes are wound down. 

Economy minister Vaughan Gething has also criticised the UK Government over its failure to uphold its promise to “at least match” EU funding for every UK home nation following the UK’s withdrawal from the trading block. 

But he’s also warned of “tough decisions” as the government and partners from the public sector, education and the private sector adjust to a shortfall in funding. 

But in response the Welsh Government intends pulling together employment programmes under its Employability and Skills Plan, that was launched in March. 

That focuses employment support on those most disadvantaged in the labour market, and on improving labour market outcomes for disabled people, Black, Asian, and Minority Ethnic people, women, young people, older workers over 50, carers and those with low skills. 

“Despite the promise made by the UK Government that Wales would not be worse off from the UK leaving the EU, the reality is we are facing a loss of more than £1 billion in un-replaced funding,” said Gething. 

“The Welsh Government cannot fill the massive hole the UK Government has created in the Welsh budget, which means we and our Welsh partners - who have previously benefited from EU funding - will need to take tough decisions on what to fund in future. 

“This Welsh Government is determined to help people into and remain in good quality jobs. That’s why we’re taking action to fund a new Wales-wide programme to support people to do just that.  

“By funding this expansion of Communities for Work + and focusing on people who are under-represented in the labour market and those who face disadvantage and inequity in accessing work, we will create a more equal Wales - a society that enables people to fulfil their potential no matter what their background or circumstances.” 

Since 2015 the government says £135m has been invested in the schemes which have provided intensive community-based employment support and training to 41,000 individuals with what it calls “complex barriers” to finding employment. Over 17,500 of these individuals have been helped into employment. 

It says the CfW+ programme has provided intensive employment support and training to over 30,000 individuals with complex barriers to employment, with over 13,000 being helped into employment.