RESIDENTS in deprived wards of Brierfield and Nelson will be helped to get on the right track to improving their lives through two new educational projects.

The projects, which have received £225,000 of funding from Pendle Partnership's SRB6 programme 'The Time Is Now For Nelson', are aimed at improving the quality of life for residents in the Bradley and Whitefield areas of Nelson and in Brierfield.

Jobs, training and education are the focus of both the Community Adult Education and Supporting Disengaged Young People projects being run by Nelson and Colne College.

The schemes have received widespread support from local organisations and community groups.

Welcoming the courses, Bradley ward councillor Christine Stables said: "Schemes like this are needed in most places and any kind of education which helps people get back in to work and supporting themselves has to be good." The Community Adult Education programme will run for three years and during this time aims to help more than 1,200 people gain qualifications.

It will be geared to the needs of the community and college outreach staff will work closely with local people to develop a wide-ranging package of educational courses, including basic key skills improvement, health and family learning, work related training and leisure courses.

Supporting Disengaged Young People is a two-year pilot scheme that aims to provide support to young people who drop out of school, college, training schemes or work. It will target 14 to 24-year-olds and will include one-to-one advice and support, signposting to training and job opportunities, help with CV writing, interview skills and self presentation.

Both projects will be linked with local organisations and existing community based schemes including Action Research for Jobs, East Lancashire Careers Service, Empower and the Pendle Pakistan Welfare Association.

Michael Hunt, public relations officer for Pendle Partnership, said: "The Partnership was particularly pleased to support these two schemes as they demonstrate an excellent example of local organisations and groups working together to provide real benefits to the community. The scheme is also an example of the Partnership's commitment to the regeneration of these areas through its £12million SRB6 programme."

Courses are due to start in August and September and anyone wanting further information about them should contact Nelson and College on 01282 440200.