The European Social Fund is a mechanism for distributing funds from members of the European Union to countries most in need to improve employment prospects.

Each year, the UK benefits from over £10billion of investment from ESF. The UK uses this funding to reduce inactivity among young people and the long term unemployed to improve training and skills. It also invests in education and lifelong learning, ensuring fairer living standards and better job opportunities for all EU citizens.

Apprenticeships by Nelson and Colne College are part funded by the European Social Fund (ESF), by part funding programmes it increases the investment in training at national and a local level.

ESF also funds:

Moving on – a programme which supports young people not in education, employment or training

Learn more online about the work of ESF in the UK: www.ec.europa.eu/esf/home.jsp