VIA WORKS WITH 18-24 YEAR OLDS ON YOUTH CONTRACT

17 April 2012

The Via Partnership is helping to deliver projects across Lancashire in support of the Youth Contract project, working with 18-24 year olds.

The below article is taken from the Clitheroe Advertiser:

A NEW scheme providing more help, support, advice and training opportunities to the area’s young jobseekers is up and running in Clitheroe.

The Government’s “Youth Contract” went live this month. It means increased time for 18 to 24-year-olds with the Advisory Team at Clitheroe Jobcentre and wage incentives worth up to £2,275 each for employers who recruit an 18 to 24-year-old from the Work Programme.

Nationally, an extra 250,000 voluntary work experience or sector-based Work Academy places will be available over the next three years. There will be extra incentive payments worth £1,500 each for employers to take on young people as apprentices and extra funding to support the most vulnerable NEET (not in employment, education or training) 16 and 17-year-olds.

Locally the Youth Contract training takes place at the St Mary’s Centre, Clitheroe, and provides an intensive package of support aiming to get younger jobseekers into work. Work placements will be available and the course is providing full preparation. In addition, training provider The Via Partnership and Jobcentre Plus are coaching in time management skills, reliability, motivation, and health and safety in the workplace.

Tom Root, Clitheroe Jobcentre Manager, explained: “This course is excellent, addressing many of the concerns local employers have regarding younger jobseekers.

“Our partners from Via have been excellent. The Youth Contract launched this month and locally we are giving all our customers every opportunity to get into work. Ribble Valley Work Experience hosts have been excellent, and the scheme has greatly benefited our customers and the employers themselves. We’re also promoting apprenticeships and coaching younger claimants with the skills and attributes they need to get a job and keep it.”

In the Ribble Valley, local firms and branches of national employers have provided valuable experience for the area’s young adults.

Tom added: “We’re always on the lookout for firms, large or small, to help support the Youth Contract and to tap into our pool of young talent, while providing invaluable experience to a jobseeker in a challenging local job market. More information is available at direct.gov.uk and you can contact me, Tom Root, on 01200 335015 or tweet @clitheroeJCP.”

Clitheroe Jobcentre is also working hard with partners to get young people into apprenticeships, again with great local support from the area’s employers.