TRAINING and learning opportunities are being made available for homeless people and their carers in Herefordshire and Worcestershire.

The Homeless Sector Pilot initiative, which is funded by the local Learning and Skills Council (LSC) will allow those without houses to gain skills that will enhance their opportunities to access further education, work and training.

It will also ensure staff who work with them achieve a vocational qualification at level 2, awarded by City and Guilds, such as the Certificate in Supporting the Development Needs of Homeless and Vulnerable People.

This training will enable them to be confident working with in the environment they do and to deliver the client phase of the programme.

This is made up of five individual units, which the learners can tailor to make up their own learning package.

The aim is for homeless people and hostel residents to achieve a qualification.

The Worcester YMCA is a lead partner in the scheme, as are the Worcester College of Technology and the Foyer Federation.

The pilot phase will run until March next year.

Lee Probert, equality and diversity advisor at the local LSC, said: "Around 85 per cent of homeless people have been in paid employment in the past and 47 per cent possess qualifications.

"It is essential that we re-engage these individuals into training and education but we can only do this by ensuring that the staff who work with the homeless are fully trained and able to help their clients confidently and successfully.

"This pilot will seek to address these issues."