A new scheme has been unveiled to help get the long term unemployed living in Helston and on the Lizard peninsula back into work.

The Community Employment Programme, which is being led by the Work Skills Training Academy of Cornwall College and Job Centre Plus, will offer training opportunities, work experience and apprenticeships to those that are struggling to find regular work.

The scheme has come about because of the rural nature of the Lizard, which means those that rely on public transport or can't afford to run their own car may not have access to the same facilities and opportunities as those that live closer to Helston.

Martin Cop, the manager at Helston Job Centre Plus, said: “Our launch event, which was held at Mullion football club, demonstrated how far some people who are looking for work have to travel. Due to the sheer size of the Lizard and its lack of public transport, a lot of people can miss out on the work we do. We want to boost people's prospects and get them back into work, by delivering things like; CV writing courses and work experience in an environment closer to home.

“Helston and the Lizard Works will offer a work club, not just in Helston, but we've now secured sites in St Keverne and Mullion and this club will give people access to computers, advice, training and ultimately confidence. The other part to this; we want people to identify projects that people can work on, voluntarily, in their local communities, that will benefit the community.”

Martin added: “We have already built a strong working relationship with Cornwall College and the National Trust on another scheme working with the long term unemployed and that project has already secured jobs.”

The partnership, which also involves organisations like Kier Living, Coastline Housing and Cornwall Council, will be delivered in local communities and will cover Goldsithney, Carnkie, Gweek and Leedstown.

Stephen Maunder, business development manager for the Work Skills Training Academy at Cornwall College, said: “This is a fantastic concept, there is a lot of hard work and thought that has gone into this and I think if we work in partnership we can make a real difference. We will work with our partners to maximise what the learner can achieve, because the learner will always come first.

“Our main hope is to create work placement and employment opportunities and already, today, we've had one organisation come forward and as a result we will start delivering that in September.”

Jo Dodd head of the Work Skills Training Academy, said: “It's about bringing key partners together, with different strands of funding and support to up-skill the people and improve our communities and get them back into work. Due to the rural nature of Cornwall, it is important that we work as a network because it is so difficult for some people to overcome the barriers they face, together we are stronger. We have run a similar scheme in the St Just area, which has so far secured seven people into full time employment, and programmes like this give those looking for work, the next step on the journey.”