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.

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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