Training deal offer to young jobless
As the Government unveils its plans to get the country and economy back on track, municipal reporter Iain Robinson looks at how North Staffordshire is already leading the way in tackling unemployment.
SCHOOL and college leavers across North Staffordshire will get a leg up on to the career ladder with the creation of 250 new apprenticeships.
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JUST THE JOB: From the left, Nick Laverty, chief executive of Advantage West Midlands, MP Joan Walley, and Ian Austin, West Midlands Minister, in Burslem. Picture: Steve Bould
The training scheme, announced in Stoke-on-Trent yesterday by visiting West Midlands Minister Ian Austin, is part of a major drive to cut unemployment levels in the area.
On top of the apprenticeships, North Staffordshire's biggest public sector employers have also promised to recruit from the local population to fill at least half of their junior posts.
The aim is to create extra job opportunities for this year's school and college leavers and retain more university graduates in the area.
Organisations which have signed up to the agreement include Stoke-on-Trent City Council, Staffordshire County Council, the area's NHS trusts, Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service and both Staffordshire and Keele universities.
The recruitment initiative will be co-ordinated by the Learning and Skills Council (LSC) through its network of Jobcentre Plus and JET (Jobs, Enterprise, Training) centres.
The move comes as figures show the number of under-25s out of work and claiming benefits in Stoke-on-Trent has trebled in the past 15 months.
Mr Austin said more local workers will benefit from the 15,000 new jobs expected to come to North Staffordshire as initiatives such as the £1.5 billion regeneration of Stoke-on-Trent come to fruition.
He said: "I came to Stoke-on-Trent six months ago and I saw there was clearly a real commitment to working together to provide local jobs for local people and improving skills.
"We have kept the promise we made to develop this scheme and it is going to provide 250 new apprenticeships this year.
"On top of that, the organisations involved will also guarantee that half of all entry-level jobs go to local people. This is not just unique in the West Midlands, it is unique nationally, and if it takes off then I'm sure other areas will soon be looking to develop their own versions."
The minister said that it is vital that the area focuses on employment and skills as a fundamental part of its regeneration strategy.
He added: "We can't just put up new buildings. By making sure that the regeneration programme provides skills and employment opportunities for local people we can transform people's lives and the economy as well."
LSC regional director David Cragg said that many of the new posts and apprenticeship places were likely to occur in the construction and healthcare industries.
He said: "We want 50 per cent of all new entry-level jobs to be filled by local people and workers to be trained to at least a Level Two national qualification."
Stoke-on-Trent City Council's interim chief executive, Chris Harman, said: "What we are doing is really important for the city and the sub-region.
"As a council, we will be focusing on children who are coming out of local authority care and on people from disadvantaged backgrounds to provide them with the skills and opportunities to build a career."
The city council's cabinet member for enterprise and culture, Councillor Hazel Lyth, said: "I think we are on the right track and it is excellent to get support from the minister. This isn't just about token support, it's a real thrust forward which is going to create so many opportunities, and that's very exciting."
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3 Comments
by Warren, Meir
Wednesday, July 01 2009, 10:31AM
“Anita.... thats the very thing I mean, you got yourself on the road, and worked hard to get what you got, bang on, good for you girl, and you build on that, its just what I have done. Some thought just look at what they are offered and turn round to say "why should I, its not worth the hassel of geting out of bed," and thats what gets me, you want employment, you put yourself into the markett whatever way you can. A placement offering traning or a relatvly low wage at the start can end up as a good job, with good prostects and a desent pay packett. Some I see just think its allright sucking away on the state, this is the kind of person who needs a awake up call.”
by ANITA PARKES, staffs moorlands
Tuesday, June 30 2009, 11:23PM
“Alot of unfortunate unemployed people get certain training oppotunities offered to them which they take the attitude of "why should i be bothered to do that when there is nowt at the end for definate" . There maybe nothing immediatly at the end of the training but they will have more certificates to take to an possible employer in the future, near or far. I personally have a job which i really enjoy, i have been in it for 25 months, always working onwards an upwards (i hope), and i have done so much training within lots of asspects of my work and i am hoping to be doing another 6 month course in health and safety, 1 day a week at college with pay, but i will be filling my C.V. up to magnificant amounts of qualifications which would put me a few more rungs up the ladder if i ever had to look for another position, so come on all you genuine job lookers, stop looking the gift horse in the mouth, its free to you all so grab it with both hands. And warren i do tend to agree with a % of your comment. XX.”
by Warren, Meir
Tuesday, June 30 2009, 8:16AM
“You know, that was the best thing I'v ever heard Brown say, when he said that if young adults turn down a job or traning, they get there payment cut, could we not do this for the long term dole-dossers as well.”