BURY Employment Support and training (BEST) has launched a new programme to help young people with disabilities into work.

Funded by the European Social Fund and Bury Council, the scheme will support a dozen adults over the next 18 months.

BEST will offer key skills training and supported work-experience with local employers.

Local company, Chadwick's of Bury, is supporting the initiative by providing training facilities within their Fernhill factory.

And Thumbs Up (Bury) have also generously supplied resources for the assessment centre.

Stephen Crow, managing director of Chadwick's of Bury, which is involved in foil top lid and drinking straws manufacturing, has welcomed the joint venture.

He said: "We are delighted to support this new initiative which not only underlines our commitment, but that of the Bury business community in supporting people with disabilities into employment." Bury Employment Support and Training manager, Mr Huw Davies explained: "This new scheme will allow us to pilot an assessment process which we're calling active assessment.

"As each participant will spend up to eight weeks within the training facility at Chadwick's, the detailed information on each person's skills will enable us to make a more accurate match between trainees and potential employers."

He added: "We're delighted that Chadwick's have been able to help get this off the ground."

Each of the young people will get extensive support and the chance to show their skills in open employment before permanent work is sought for them.

If local employers are interested in supporting the scheme, they can get further information from Bury Employment Support and Training on 253 6588.

The organisation works with local people who have a learning disability or are recovering from mental illness. It is a section of Bury Council's social services.

They currently support more than 50 people in paid employment.

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