Funding to help people in the East of England

If you live or work in the East of England (Cambridgeshire, Bedfordshire, Essex, Hertfordshire, Norfolk and Suffolk) and are in consultation for redundancy then you could be entitled to funding to pay for career guidance and training.

The European Social Fund and The East of England Development Agency have specially created 'Response to Redundancy' (R2R) to generate real action for workers. R2R provides up to £1,000 per employee to cover career guidance, skills assessment, explore career options, training funding, vocational qualifications and workshops to help candidates match and market themselves to new and hidden opportunities.

The scheme is available to individuals affected by redundancy and also to employers to offer to their staff. It is particularly designed for those who are working their notice or on gardening leave whilst technically still employed. That means that you will need to move swiftly to secure your funding: it should be arranged before your notice or gardening period ends.

To apply to the fund you will need to speak to an accredited advisor. For more information see www.recrion.co.uk/free

Katherine Wiid is the Director of Recrion and is an accredited R2R advisor. To contact her call 01780 484910.

PACE: A similar scheme to help redundant people in Scotland

Employees and employers in Scotland who are affected by redundancy may be entitled to help from Partnership Action for Continuing Employment (PACE), a scheme funded by the European Social Fund. For more details see the Scottish Government web site.