NEW SCHEME: Velez-Malaga council announces project to hire 40 of the most vulnerable

VELEZ-MALAGA Council has announced it is working with La Caixa bank’s Obra Social (social work) foundation to help bring 40 of the area’s most vulnerable people into employment.

The project, which also involves the Marcelino Champagnat Foundation, was announced by the town’s mayor, Antonio Moreno Ferrer.

In addition to find employment, the scheme will also raise awareness among the public and employers about hiring those who are at risk of social exclusion.

Mayor Ferrer said: “We are handing over use of the community social services building so that staff at the Marcelino Champagnat Foundation can help with the work requirements of those residents with greater needs, such as young people, those over 45, people with any type of physical or intellectual disability, immigrants, or victims of gender violence, among other groups.”

Francisco Garcia, the director of the Caixa Bank in Velez-Malaga, said: “[The project] has already been tried out by about nine associations, and last year more than 800 people were able to find quality employment.  It does not just help train and assist people in their search for work, but in many cases also helps train and finance people for self-employment.”