Extern will be continuing its work to support people into employment in the Belfast area after securing a generous £650k funding package from the new UK Shared Prosperity Fund.

Extern's Moving Forward, Moving On programme is one of a number of projects across Northern Ireland which is being funded by the UK Government under the new scheme, details of which were announced in March.

The Belfast-based project is receiving £648,000 to provide intensive mentoring and employability support to people in Belfast, Lisburn and Newtownabbey who are furthest from the job market. This will include accredited courses in employability skills, life skills and personal development, as well as mentoring support and soft skills training.

The UK Shared Prosperity Fund succeeds the EU-backed European Social Fund, which had funded the MFMO project since its inception in 2013. Since then the project has supported over 1,000 young people with finding pathways into employment, education and training.

A spokesperson for Extern said: “This announcement of funding for our MFMO project is welcome news for the many people whom we support in seeking to find positive ways forward as they overcome the challenges they face in their lives.

“We look forward to seeing the positive impact which this new funding will have in helping us to equip people from a range of backgrounds with the skills to succeed in accessing the often-competitive job market.”