BY PETE HENSHAW

THOUSANDS of pounds of European money is coming to Crewe and Nantwich to help provide training for local people.

The Crewe 1000 Partnership has been successful in gaining £100,000 from the European Social Fund to help train the unemployed.

Crewe 1000, which is made up of Rolls-Royce and Bentley Cars, Cheshire Guidance Partnership and South Cheshire College, is using the money to help fund a project intended to match up the skills of the borough's job seekers with the needs of employers.

The project will run three free courses running between now and June this year and as part of the scheme there will be a wealth of tutoring ranging from essential communication skills, information technology and maths to vocational skills.

The long term unemployed, people returning to work and school leavers are among the target group of the project.

The money has allowed 36 places to be made available and the first course is already full with recruitment already taking place for the second group.

There are creche facilities available and the second group is particularly aimed at people returning to work after raising a family.

Jan Jakub, Crewe 1000 project co-ordinator at South Cheshire College, said: "This project gives a huge opportunity for local people who face challenges when applying for jobs.

"Specifically targeted at people with few or no qualifications, these courses aim to give people the confidence and knowledge needed to be successful at interviews," he added.

Rolls-Royce and Bentley has guaranteed interviews for all participants who successfully complete the programme.

For more information or to find out if you are eligible for the course contact Cheryl Bebbington at Crewe Careers Centre on 251002.