By Alistair Keely, PA News
The Government today pledged an extra £5.5 million to help Rover workers who
are made redundant following the decision by BMW to sell the company.
The package, announced by Education and Employment Secretary David Blunkett,
will cover workers at Birmingham's Longbridge site and the thousands of
workers who are employed across the region in the components industry.
Thousands of workers are expected to lose their jobs when Alchemy Partners
takes over the company to produce MG cars for a niche market.
The cash is in addition to the millions promised by the Department of Trade
and Industry to help regenerate the West Midlands.
Mr Blunkett said: "This package will benefit those facing redundancy. It
allows them to re-equip themselves for work and encourages other local
employers to give them the chance they deserve."
The package will help workers with training, particularly with information
technology skills, and help employers with the cost of taking on redundant
workers.
Mr Blunkett added: "An innovative aspect of the package is that information
on training opportunities and jobs will be available on a special Internet
site.
"This is particularly useful for workers who do not live close to the Rover
sites."
The money will be channelled through the Rover Taskforce and the Rapid
Response Fund. The fund seeks to help people back into work as quickly as
possible when there has been a major redundancy.
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