A number of projects in south west Hertfordshire are to benefit from a £1,000,000 funding boost from the Learning and Skills Council.

Seventeen projects across the county are to receive funding from the organisation's Local Initiative Fund, which aims to support activities focuses on skills and learning.

The funding concentrates on four areas: basic skills, Level 3 attainment (2 A levels or equivalent), collaboration and engaging employers. Projects receiving LIF funding are:

Watford YMCA £20,000. To provide a one-stop-shop in Watford for people of all ages to receive advice on education and training, plus an informal setting for discussions regarding homelessness, health issues and job search assistance.

Oaklands College, St Albans, in partnership with Cambridge Training and Development £110,000. To provide a centre for enhancing the opportunities and progression for teachers of basic skills; the centre will offer resources and materials to assist with community and volunteer provision.

Business Link Hertfordshire £70,000. To promote wider access and participation in lifelong learning by identifying and meeting the basic skills training needs of employees working for larger employers.

University of Hertfordshire £33,030. To develop a learning programme for staff in care homes to be trained to the standards required by the Care Standards Act (2000).

Business Link Hertfordshire £50,000. To help employed women to attain a qualification in management. The training will take account of the "work life balance". Each person will have a mentor to assist with their programme.

Hertfordshire County Council £28,500. To offer bilingual and bicultural classroom assistants the opportunity to become senior practitioners in early years care and education, with the opportunity to attain teacher status.

Herts Careers Services £54,850. To offer a student apprenticeship for pupils aged between 14 and 16 bridging the gap between taster programmes and Modern Apprenticeships.

Executive Director at LSC Hertfordshire, Mr Roy Bain, said: "The LSC is committed to local flexibility and innovation within a transparent funding framework.

"The most visible sign of this is in our LIF budget and this year we are delighted to be able to support local projects to the tune of £1,000,000.

"This will greatly help to tackle specific priorities that were identified as part of our consultation with stakeholders."