The Council has voted to finance the Andalucia Orienta programme itself, at least until August, pending notification from the Junta de Andalucia as to whether this service will continue on a regional basis and with regional funding. So, what is Andalucia Orienta?
Andalucia Orienta is an active work orientation service designed to provide information on, and assist people to access the labour market. In other words, it is supposed to help people find a job.
The service is particularly aimed at young people, those with disabilities, women, graduates, immigrants, ethnic minorities and the long-term unemployed who are having difficulty accessing the labour market. The services offered include customised itineraries, information on the labour market, advice on job search techniques, vocational guidance, support in finding employment and advice for self-employment.
Assistance is given at both individual and group levels and according to the Council, there have been 3,383 individual and 111 group sessions in Nerja.
The Andalucia Orienta service ended on June 30th as there has been no notification from the Junta de Andalucia as to whether or not the service is to continue.
For the moment, at least, the four people involved in Andalucia Orienta have returned to their office and the Council is funding the service until more information is forthcoming.
Curiously, the decision to continue the service was not supported by the Opoosition PSOE.