A NEW initiative to help more people with disabilities get jobs is being launched by Gloucestershire County Council.

The project, in partnership with Gloucester’s Job Centre Plus and Westmorland’s Gloucester Services, will be delivered by the council’s Adult Education Service.

It is hoped to give support to adults with learning difficulties and mental health needs, equipping them with the skills they need to compete for jobs.

The course will run for two weeks, beginning on Monday, April 13. Those taking part will devote two days per week for two weeks, to complete training in ‘Employability Skills’.

The programme builds on the successful 2014 pilot scheme in which 29 learners, all of whom were long-term unemployed and in receipt of employment and support allowance, completed the training - with 40 per cent going on to secure employment.

The course aims to build confidence and self-belief, as well as developing personal time-management skills. Candidates will also receive customer service training.

The county council and the Department of Work and Pensions have jointly referred candidates to the programme.

At the end of the course, learners are guaranteed first interviews with Westmorland for jobs at the new service outlet on the M5 southbound carriageway.

Coaching will be given to help learners plan and prepare for job interviews, and successful candidates could be offered a permanent position.