MORE than £60,000 of funding to help support young jobseekers across North Somerset has been given in support of a new project, HYPE West.

The project will provide young jobseekers with advice, one-to-one skill-building sessions, and help to overcome the obstacles currently preventing them from getting into employment.

A group of agencies, led by Knightstone Housing, has successfully gained £60,700, which will be used to help 18 to 24-year-olds into work.

The programmes leaders from HYPE West say they are ‘hopeful’ the project will see many more young people from across the region get into employment.

The programme will be delivered under the umbrella of Team North Somerset, which is a partnership of local enterprises, including Weston College, Knightstone Housing and North Somerset Council.

Knightstone’s Into Work programme manager, Phil Barker, said: “We’re delighted to be part of Team North Somerset, and to have secured the HYPE West contract.

“Everyone has worked really hard to design an exciting and personalised programme that will offer young people an extensive menu of opportunity, tailored to their individual needs.”

Council experts are also excited about what the future holds for the project.

North Somerset’s head of participation and skills, Marie Horton, said: “We’re delighted that our new youth employment service has a central role in Team North Somerset.

“We’re hopeful that many more young people will be able to move into employment and meet their aspirations.”