A PROJECT offering training and support for black and minority ethnic communities has been officially launched in Ipswich.The Get It On project is being led by the Bangladeshi Support Centre in association with CSV, Suffolk Acre, Business Link and the Suffolk Association of Voluntary Organisations (SAVO) and aims to help more than 300 people access learning opportunities.

A PROJECT offering training and support for black and minority ethnic communities has been officially launched in Ipswich.

The Get It On project is being led by the Bangladeshi Support Centre in association with CSV, Suffolk Acre, Business Link and the Suffolk Association of Voluntary Organisations (SAVO) and aims to help more than 300 people access learning opportunities.

It follows a similar successful scheme in the Bangladeshi community.

Mohammed Mainul Alam, project co-ordinator, said: “We realised there was a great need for this for other communities, as well as the Bangladeshi community because people weren't accessing mainstream services.

“There are many different reasons including cultural reasons. We look at things like if they need to go for prayers or language support or child care support.

“We can even go to their homes and community centres. Big institutions produce information but they don't know how to engage or communicate.”

The services available will include guidance on how to access training as well as opportunities to study for national qualifications.

Mr Alam added: “In the past we have done a lot of courses to get people started in the learning process and we are moving into providing people with qualifications in terms of skills for life. We are trying to get more accredited training.

“We also hope to provide culturally relevant training so people can become trainers themselves.”

The project is to be funded by the Learning and Skills Council for the next three years.