Opportunity Stroud is a new initiative aimed at moving local people into employment, training or self employment.

A partnership between Stroud District Council, Jobcentre Plus and a wide range of other organisations including South Gloucestershire and Stroud College, the Prince's Trust, National Apprenticeship Service, Gloucestershire Enterprise, TABS Training and Gloucestershire County Council the overall aim of the programme is to get more local people back into work.

The project involves an intensive, in depth, face to face interview with a specialist contractor, TCV Employment and Training Services (TCV), for job seekers in the Stroud District area. The interviews will help assess the level of work readiness while leading to a better understanding of the individual's aspirations and experience.

Working with TCV job seekers will develop an action plan and be able to access a whole range of provision from local partners, including, vocational tasters and training, work experience placements, apprenticeships, work clubs, enterprise training, sector based work academies and volunteering opportunities. A number of clients will also have the option of additional mentoring support, all intended to ensure that local people are well equipped and better prepared to move into sustainable employment.

Not only is the initiative good news for job seekers but also ensures that local employers can access a motivated and well prepared source of potential local employees, as well as playing a large part in delivering real fresh new opportunities for the community.

Employers already play a vital role in the success of the District and support the local community in a variety of ways. Opportunity Stroud provides another avenue to engage with the community and help tackle local unemployment.

Help can be provided in a number of ways, for example, by letting us know of any vacancies you have, or expect to have in the next few months or by offering apprenticeships, work experience or vocational training.

If you are an employer and would like to offer your support, register an interest or for further information please contact the Opportunity Stroud partnership at regeneration@stroud.gov.uk