A further £3.5 million of European cash is to be invested in learning and skills development throughout York and North Yorkshire.

Now the search is on for organisations to help deliver seven major projects aimed at developing the skills and employment potential of people within the area.

The Objective 3 funding has been allocated to York and North Yorkshire by the European Social Fund and will be managed by the Learning and Skills Council (LSC) North Yorkshire.

Adverts have already gone out to invite suitable organisations to tender for the delivery contracts.

The programme's seven major projects are:

Helping people back into learning or work

Improving access and increasing participation in learning

Developing skills for life - improving literacy and numeracy

Information, advice and guidance

Support for training and employment in the cultural, heritage and land-based industries

Developing learning opportunities for rural areas

Opening up learning and work opportunities for people recovering from mental health difficulties.

Helen Howland, European funding manager at the LSC North Yorkshire, said there had been a lot of interest in the projects and they were confident that there would be some excellent proposals:

She said: "This European money represents a significant opportunity to make a real difference to people's lives in York and North Yorkshire, through the creation of targeted learning and skills opportunities in identified areas of need.

"The LSC has carried out detailed research into where the gaps are and what needs to be done to fill them - and we have developed these seven major project areas in response to the evidence we have gathered.

"Now we need to find the right people to turn our vision into reality. We expect to start getting the tenders over the summer and look forward to selecting the organisations or groups which offer the best combination of ideas and experience to maximise the benefits of this major investment into skills in our area."

Updated: 09:29 Monday, April 12, 2004