LEADER of St Helens Council, Councillor Mike Doyle has welcomed news that the UK Government is nominating St Helens for a new pilot initiative set up by the European Commission.

The initiative, known as a Territorial Employment Pact, is aimed at bringing together all the local training and economic development partners to agree a strategy for tackling unemployment in their area. The partners must sign up to a 'pact' which commits them towards targets for reducing unemployment and creating jobs locally. Up to £150,000 of European money will be available to help them in this work.

"St Helens is the only area in the North West to be nominated," said Councillor Doyle. "The Government's choice of St Helens reflects the excellent track record we have of working together to deliver economic regeneration in the borough. They have also recognised the problems St Helens has had with the continuing large-scale job losses from major companies within the borough."

Councillor Doyle, added: "Winning this money will give us a new opportunity to make a real change in terms of jobs for St Helens.

"But I am sure, given the spirit of co-operation we all have in St Helens that, we can rise to the challenge that the Commission have set us."

The St Helens TEP bid was put together by the council's European Unit and has been supported by the following organisations: St Helens College; St Helens Chamber of Commerce, Training and Enterprise; St Helens Careers Service; Groundwork St Helens; St Helens Council for Voluntary Service; St Helens Coalition of Disabled People; and The Employment Service (St Helens Job Centre).

It is hoped that St Helens Trades Council will also be able to become a partner in the pact.

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