Bid creates new jobs for young people

Release Date: 29-Oct-2009

Young unemployed people in the West will be able to gain new skills through paid employment, thanks to a successful bid to the government's Future Jobs Fund.

More than 25 local employers are on board to create 189 new opportunities for young people, through a £1.3 million grant won by West of England local authorities and partners.

Employers have been targeted to provide new opportunities in employment hotspots and for those who have been out of work for one year. Most of the new posts will be in Bristol (137) with 28 in South Gloucestershire, 21 in North Somerset and two in Bath and North East Somerset.

Chair of the West of England Employment and Skills Board, Stephen Harrison, said: “We want to give young people opportunities that will keep the local labour market ready with the right skills for the future. Job creation has been carefully targeted to help sectors that are likely to grow in the projected economic up-turn, such as environmental and media sectors. They have also been created to help local authorities that have an ageing workforce and where there are benefits to local communities.”

Bristol City Council Cabinet Member for Children and Young People, Cllr Clare Campion-Smith, said: “Young people deserve a good chance of landing their first job, despite the recession. It is well-recognised that it is much easier to find a permanent job if you are already gaining skills in employment. These new opportunities are of good quality, targeted in the areas that need them most and fully supported to help with long term goals.”

Jobs have been created with the aim of:

helping communities in poverty by creating local services
improving the environment
helping voluntary organisations
providing outreach and signposting services for other young people
enhancing learning and skills

One of the employers to be taking on three young people through the Future Jobs Fund is the Knowle West Media Centre.

Operations Manager, Michaela Macrae Simpson, said: “Knowle West Media Centre has always worked with young disadvantaged people. Over the years, many have gained valuable experience as apprentices, trainees and as volunteers within a creative industry. This has enabled them to continue a career, or go on to further education. Working with the Future Jobs Fund we hope to employ three young, enthusiastic people in digital technology, who wouldn't necessarily be given the chance otherwise.”

Anyone aged 18 to 24, who has been unemployed for around 12 months, or is in an unemployment 'hot spot', will be contacted by Job Centre Plus, if they are eligible for the scheme. Employment hot spots are in Ashley, Easton, Lawrence Hill, Filwood, Hartcliffe and Southmead wards in Bristol and in Weston South and Central in North Somerset.

Author: Katharine de Lisle

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