ESF Co-financing - Award of Tenders

ESF Co-financing - Award of Tenders

The results of the invitation to tender for European Social Fund (ESF) Co financed activity in Luton were announced on the 16th May 2008. The overall standard of tenders submitted was high, making the appraisal of the tenders a rewarding if challenging process. Luton Borough Council is delighted to announce that the following five contracts (worth a total of nearly £783,000) have been awarded as follows:

• The NEET Engagement Project was awarded to NACRO www.nacro.org.uk . This project will support at least 75 young people (16-19 years old) who are not in education, employment or training (NEET), especially those in the more deprived areas of Luton, to help them back into training or work. NACRO will liaise with other local providers and community groups to offer a multi faceted solution.
• The Pre-NEET Provision project was awarded to the Bedfordshire & Luton Education & Business Partnership (BLEBP) www.blebp.co.uk . This project will offer a range of support to school pupils (14 to 16 years old) who are in danger of becoming excluded. BLEBP will liaise with schools, colleges and voluntary organisations to help 190 young people in Luton. BLEDP will also be delivering a similar project throughout Bedfordshire.
• The Skills Development project was awarded to Barnfield College www.barnfield.ac.uk . This project involves the provision of short courses to develop skills, positive attitudes and personality amongst the NEET group, especially those who are not yet ready for more mainstream programmes. Barnfield College will offer a range of activity to help 190 young people (16 to 19 years old) back into education, training or employment. Bedford College will be running a similar project in Bedfordshire.
• The project “Working with vulnerable groups” was awarded to Luton Training & Mentoring www.lutonmentor.com . This project will help young people from especially vulnerable groups, for example young carers, teenage parents, or those with mental health problems. It will offer training, mentoring and support to 31 young people to encourage them back into education, training or employment. Luton Training & Mentoring will also be delivering a similar project throughout Bedfordshire.
• The Pre-Entry Provision (Adults) project was awarded to The Learning Partnership www.learningincommunities.co.uk . This project will provide targeted support to 143 adults (aged 19 or over) who are unemployed or economically inactive. It will particularly be intended for those from the most deprived communities, or those aged over 50, from a minority ethnic background, living in areas of high unemployment, or facing multiple disadvantages. The Learning Partnership will provide essential information, advice and guidance services to enable people to achieve their first full level 2 NVQ qualification or equivalent, and will support them in the first stages of employment.

It is hoped that project  activity will commence in early June 2008.

There were another three projects (worth a total of £469,000) where no bids of a suitable quality were received. These three included a project to support adults with mental health issues, a training project for the Voluntary & Community Sector, and a project to provide English language and employment support to unemployed or economically inactive adults. These projects will be offered out to tender again in the near future.

For any queries, please contact the ESF Team on esf@luton.gov.uk or by phone on 01582 546270.