Untitled Document

Issue 73: 4th June 2010


> What’s new? > Partner’s Perspective: “New opportunities for young people”, Neil Robertson, Manager, Partnership Fund & Project Services, Cornwall Development Company . > How is Convergence doing? > What are other European Programmes doing?

This is part of a monthly series of newsletters that will keep you up to date with the progress of the Convergence Programmes for Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly as they are put into action over the coming months.

Cornwall Works for Learning Disabilities employer event

Kick off National Learning Disability week at Cornwall Works’ employer breakfast briefing in St Austell on Friday 18th June. The event offers advice on how to create success for your business by matching good employees to your vacancies. Join Cornwall Works at The White Hart Hotel for networking over a continental style breakfast and hear from guest speaker Fred Bowen what other employers are doing to dispel the myths about recruiting someone with a learning disability.

> Find out more and register

> Learning Disability Week, 21-27 June 2010

Graduate embraces educational challenge at Cornish Art Gallery

A graduate employed by an award-winning Cornish gallery and arts space through the ESF Convergence supported Unlocking Cornish Potential programme has strengthened relationships with the educational sector by introducing a series of workshops, artist collaborations and student support linked to the National Curriculum.

> Click here for more details

Wave Hub on course for summer deployment

The Wave Hub, the pioneering marine energy project, is on course to be deployed this summer with fabrication of sub-sea cables and the hub itself nearing completion, with the announcement of the appointment of CTC Marine Projects as the Wave Hub’s offshore contractor.

> Click here for more details

Democratic approach wins staff support for Redruth hotel’s environmental journey

A Georgian hotel in the heart of Cornwall is reaping the benefits of going green and at the heart of its success was support through Business Link’s Convergence programme.

> Click here for more details

“New opportunities for young people”

Neil Robertson, Manager, Partnership Fund & Project Services, Cornwall Development Company


Helping young people into work		“Two hundred unemployed young people in Cornwall are being helped get back into work at this time of great economic difficulties.


Future Jobs Fund		“Cornwall Council is successfully delivering these positive outcomes using £1.3 million from the Future Jobs Fund, a £1 billion Government initiative to create jobs for unemployed 18-24 year olds, that runs until March 2011.


Successful pilot scheme		“The project, Cornwall Works for Future Jobs, led by Cornwall Council and managed by Cornwall Development Company, delivers new, additional employment through a network of partner organisations and through the local authority itself. This follows on from the proven success of a pilot project which has seen 83 jobs created for young unemployed people across Cornwall since October 2009.


Determined to help		“As Carolyn Rule, Cornwall Council Cabinet Member for the Economy and Regeneration, said: ‘This is absolutely fantastic news for young people in Cornwall. We recognise how hard it can be for young people out there looking for real jobs to improve their future prospects and we are determined to do everything we can to help them.’


Community benefits		“The jobs being created benefit the community in areas such as recycling and conservation.


Employers involved		“Employers include: The National Lobster Hatchery, Citizens Advice Bureau, ReZolve Kernow (recycling), Groundwork South West, Volunteer Cornwall, Cornwall Foundation for Promise (Fifteen Cornwall) and many others.


Package of training and experience		“Cornwall Works for Future Jobs works closely with Jobcentre Plus to ensure the right candidates are found for the jobs and provides learning and skills as a full package of work experience, training and qualifications.


Real change		“The programme has attracted a wide variety of young people from all walks of life and is providing opportunities for real life changes, helping build aspirations and firm foundations for their future working lives."


		To read the full version of this article click here.

Convergence Programme position as at 4 June 2010

The table below summarises the value of Convergence investments – we have met our spend targets for 2009 and are on the way to meeting those for 2010.

All monetary figures are £ million	Total	ERDF Programme	ESF Programme
Programme budget	542.5m	389.3m	153.2m
Value of investments contracted	259.0m	172.4m	86.6m
Value of investments endorsed (but not contracted)	28.9m	28.9m	0.0m
Actual project spend to date	83.9m	50.3m	33.6m
Spend target for end 2010	128.3m	82.0m	46.3m

NB. The Programmes’ budgets are set in Euros so the pound sterling figures are estimates and will vary with the exchange rate during the life of the Programmes.

The Convergence Programmes are investing in a higher value, more knowledge based economy.
A list of investments can be found on the Convergence website.

Glossary

Contracted: Contracts signed by both the applicant and the organisations managing the Programmes
Endorsed: Investments awaiting final exchange of contracts.
Spend: Money claimed from the European Union by projects for work in progress.
Spend target: The amount of money the Programmes must spend on by the end of 2010.

Rural Programme

South West livestock industry gets £7.5 million animal health boost.

> Click here for more details

Find Rural Development Programme contact details and updates on the Convergence website.


Fisheries Programme		For contact details and information about the fisheries programme, visit the Convergence website.

More detailed information about Convergence, links to key organisations and websites can be found on our website.

You can also check out the latest Convergence updates by visiting our Media Hub, following us on Twitter or getting our news feeds.