THOUSANDS of children and young people in Newport and across south east Wales at risk of dropping out of education are being offered support as part of a £45m project.

As part of the scheme jointly funded by the Welsh Government and the EU, £9.2m will be invested into Inspire2Acheive project, which will work with secondary schools throughout the city as well as Monmouthshire, Cardiff and the Vale of Glamorgan.

Newport City Council is leading the project, which is intended to help 3,900 young people improve their skills and career prospects.

Leader Cllr Debbie Wilcox said: “This early intervention work could prevent young people missing out of vital educational and training opportunities that will make a real difference to their entire lives.

“The programme will focus on those at real risk of dropping out of education, including some extremely vulnerable young people, and helping them to re-engage will benefit not just themselves but the city and society in the longer term.

“We want every young person in Newport to achieve their potential and Inspire2Achieve will help them to reach that goal.”

The council’s cabinet member for community services, work and skills Cllr Roger Jeavons also welcomed the project.

“Young people can drop out of education for many reasons and we know that this can have far-reaching and sometimes devastating consequences for their future,” he said.

Announcing the funding, the Welsh Government’s finance secretary Mark Drakeford said: “People are our greatest asset and investing vital EU funds so that people across Wales are equipped with the skills to fulfil their potential is a key ambition of the Welsh Government.

“As a pro-European government, this is another positive example of the benefits of EU membership.”