Move On East successfully applied to Norfolk Learning & Skills Council for European Social Fund monies (Policy Field 2.1 Widening Access to Basic Skills). As a result we will be expanding our Skills for Life provision in Gt Yarmouth, Thetford and Norwich working with individuals referred by Norfolk Probation Service.

The ‘Wise Up to Skills’ project starts in April 2006 and will run for two years. Learning will be directed at those groups disadvantaged, excluded from or under-represented in the workplace.

The Project aims to address learner basic skills needs through one-to-one basic skills assessment & tuition reflecting individual learning plans/reviews and evaluations. Learning will focus on educational/vocational guidance delivered alongside accreditation of learning. The Project will support beneficiaries into employment with a range of work related intervention and IAG services. Probation research places employment as the third most important need of offenders to reduce their offending.

Learning will take place in the context of a holistic environment, providing beneficiaries with on-going support as appropriate and according to individual needs (in-house projects exist to support beneficiaries with employment/training needs) in order to maximize learning potential. The European Social Fund recognizes people living in areas suffering severe social disadvantage are disproportionately likely to have no previous qualifications and have poor literacy/numeracy and low self confidence and coping skills (ESF Operational Programme for England & Gibraltar, Objective 3, 2000- 2006).