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SSI task force – local support

Following the closure of the SSI Steelworks, the local Task Force is working to help local people find new jobs, learn new skills or set up new businesses.

Launch of SSI Task Force Apprenticeship Fund

Tees Valley Unlimited has announced a new fund to support the swift relocation of Apprentices who have been made redundant due to the SSI closure.

All of the Apprentices who were employed or sponsored by SSI (including those who had been promised a position but were unable to take it up due to the closure) will now be eligible for relocation into other companies, with support from the fund.

A £1.7m fund has been created to encourage employers to take on one or more of the 50 ex-SSI Apprentices. Employers will be given the full salary and training costs to cover the remainder of the Apprenticeship and access to support from an Apprenticeship Training Agency, if required.

Applications forms and supporting guidance are available on the Tees Valley Unlimited website.

Launch of SSI Task Force Flexible Skills Support Fund

The SSI Task Force has announced the launch of a new fund to support individuals who have been made redundant following the closure of SSI and who now wish to re-train. This package of flexible support will be open to those made redundant from SSI itself, their partners, as well as those similarly affected within contracting companies and the SSI supply chain.

Those who wish to undertake refresher or top up training to enhance their existing skills or who wish to re-skill to move into a new sustainable career, will now be able to do so using the SSI Flexible Skills Support Fund.

Examples could include:

– Acquiring new or advanced skills through formal training, certificates, testing etc.
– Re-training to follow a new discipline, particularly where that offers greater opportunities for sustainable employment.
– Supporting costs to remove barriers to taking up new employment.

Those who wish to access this fund should contact their Jobcentre Plus Work Coach or National Careers Service Adviser on the contact line – 0191 382 1003 between 9am and 4pm Monday to Friday.