Many people helped by the Genesis project are single parents

The Genesis project, first tested in Rhondda Cynon Taf, provides advice, support and child care.

Extra funding of �12.5m means councils across Wales can now offer the scheme.

Economic Development Minister Andrew Davies said: "The project promises real economic and social benefits across Wales."

The project was set up using �2.7m of Objective 1 funding, enabling it to provide free child care for parents taking up training or starting jobs.

Case workers also helped those wanting to return to work by suggesting options, finding placements, helping with interview preparation, and filling in forms.

It's a fabulous project... I needed someone to believe in me Louise Ellis

Genesis founder Carol Daniel, head of early years at Rhondda Cynon Taf Council, started the project in May 2002.

At the time, she set a target of helping 2,000 people - mostly women - over the three years the pilot would run. That target was recently passed.

"The agenda was about helping women to identify their aspirations and helping them to achieve them," said Ms Daniel.

"It's more about relieving child poverty. If you've got parents earning an income then children are ultimately the beneficiaries as well."

The Wales-wide scheme aims to help another 13,000 people over the next three years and offer an extra 10,000 assisted child care places.

Louise Ellis, 31, a mother of three, from Abercwmboi, near Aberdare, joined the Genesis project two years ago.

"At the time I was lower than low, I was suffering from depression and didn't see any way out of it," she said.

"I had three children and I knew I had to be here to take them to school and to fetch them.

"I thought there would be no way I could work, that no-one was going to employ me. I didn't have any confidence and I was stuck in a rut."

Ms Ellis has now been working on a voluntary basis at Little Friends Farm, near Pontypridd, for nearly two years and is about to complete NVQ Level 2 in animal care.

"It's a fabulous project, it's so helpful," she said.

"I never thought I would go back to education and working has given me confidence.