by Rachel Hovenden

rhovenden@thekmgroup.co.uk

Kent's unemployed could miss out on £1milllion worth of employment training if enough people don't sign up by Thursday morning.

The training funding for people aged over 19 could be cut if 100 people don't sign up at a meeting at the Walk Tall centre in Northfleet at 11am on Thursday (July 5).

The money will go towards accredited courses from fork lifting certificates to maths, English and qualifications relating to warehouse and storage, and spectator events.

Ann Duke, chief executive of north Kent charity Walk Tall, said that if 900 people signed up from across Kent then they would get £1m from the Government's Skills Funding Agency.

If at least 100 sign up then the charity will get some of the money. She does not believe any other organisation has gone for a share of the cash and only found out about the initiative last week. She added that it is backed by ex-convict Bobby Cummines.

The effort is a joint venture between Northfleet organisations Walk Tall, Sure Start, CVS and Diamond Social Enterprises.

This would then be matched by Phoenix Training between September and July allowing for an expansion and greater variety of free courses offered.

She said: "We have so little time to mobilise this. Otherwise it will be cut.

"We would like as many participants as possible.

"It won't affect benefits and it's free.

"We only have about 20 people signed up at the moment.

"There is no free training for over 19s directly related to the work place.

"We'd like local people from Dartford, Gravesham, Medway and Swanley to sign up."

Mrs Duke asked that people let them know if they will be attending the meeting on Thursday by calling 01474 560834.

Donna Tibby, of Little Gems Sure Start Children's Centre in Northfleet, said: "We have got to get this message out.

"We would be devastated if we couldn't help our people."