Supporting Skills and Employment

Investing in Communities Norfolk (IiC) is a programme funded by the East of England Development Agency (EEDA) and managed by Norfolk County Council (Economic Development) aimed at tackling deprivation through economic participation, under the themes of skills, employment and enterprise.

See Investing in Communities link below for further information and a list of projects supported by IiC.

Skills for Life (STEPS) is one of Investing in Communities (IiC) key projects. To date it has delivered over £18m and helped almost 1200 people into employment. It provides opportunities to deliver vocational and basic skills together and is an integral part of the work with the homeless and vulnerable.

In continuing to provide leadership on strategic economic issues, Norfolk County Council (Economic Development) are taking forward the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) funded, Future Jobs Fund programme, which will give over 1000 young people jobs in Norfolk over the next 18 months.

See Future Jobs Fund link below for further information

Norfolk County Council (Economic Development) will be holding a number of Careers Conventions throughout 2010. These events illustrate to students what they can aspire to through employment, education or in setting up their own businesses.

• These conventions are funded by Norfolk County Council and supported by local businesses

• They are events that are staged on a scale to make them special and memorable

• They are events that students will remember as a turning point in their lives

• These events provide opportunities to engage with employers and be interactive!

They provide a unique opportunity for High School and College students to access information on what it is like to work in some of the major sectors within Norfolk.

Conventions are held in:

• Engineering

• Energy

• Construction

• Creative Industries

• ICT

• Health & Life Sciences

They are designed to provide in-depth information by stands, seminars and one to one discussions with top-level practitioners.

The Conventions provide a unique and inspirational opportunity for students to hear and then meet individually top level practitioners within the relevant industry.

See Students Conventions link below for further information

Norfolk County Council subscribes to Grantnet, a user-friendly service that helps local organisations identify funding streams that may be available to specific projects for voluntary and community groups, social enterprises, and small to medium sized businesses.