A £4m programme aimed at local businesses and jobseekers has been launched by Enfield Council.

The programme, which runs until March 2011, aims to tackle four key areas; the creation and retention of jobs, provision of training, investment to support retailers and moves to support local businesses.

More specifically, the programme aims are to create 590 new jobs, 323 apprenticeships and training programmes, advice and support for 480 residents, and provide support to 500 businesses.

The new jobs will be in local hospitals, colleges, the Lee Valley Park and the council.

According to Judy Flight, the council’s Manager for Sustainable Communities, the numbers for placements are specific because they are all fully costed.

However, some of the initiatives are already up and running such as the JOBSnet service, which the council says this has found 723 jobs.

Ms Flight said the service was however being improved: “JOBSnet now includes a specialist dealing with youth unemployment which is rising in Enfield and a job broker to help older people back into work but also provides matching funding for actual jobs in hospitals, the Lee Valley Park and various social landlords for young people to get used to working and learning skills. People with disabilities can now access a specific service to help them get back into work.”

A scheme to find childcare for working parents, Working Families, has been launched for New Southgate and Enfield Island Village.

A new Strategic Business Forum, which will meet quarterly, aims to provide businesses with better links to authorities such as the council and other business groups. The council is also embarking on a scheme using Government and other funds to plans clean up industrial estates, shopping parades and centres to encourage people to use them.

Enterprise Enfield has also received European Union money to finance and support Enfield businesses , a scheme which launches in January 2010.

Cllr Michael Lavender, Cabinet Member for Place Shaping and Enterprise said: “Over the next few years we have the opportunity to create 11,000 new homes and 6,000 new jobs in Enfield. It is vital that we give our residents and local businesses the best possible support to enable them to benefit from this growth.” To contact Enterprise Enfield call 020 8443 4040 or see www.enfield4business.org. To contact JOBSnet ring 020 8379 2625