When this content has been published
Published on 8 January 2021
Teignbridge awarded national workplace scheme funding
71 young people at risk of long term unemployment will be offered jobs in local businesses – thanks to funding from the national Kickstart scheme.
The bid which we have co-ordinated on behalf of local businesses to recruit 71 local young people at risk of unemployment was been given the go-ahead by the Department of Work and pensions this week.
The funding will provide the wages (national minimum wage) for a 25 hours a week placement for six months, for young people not in education, employment or training, and will provide skills-based training and opportunities for progression and permanent employment within local organisations including 1the council.
Data from June 2020 when the application was submitted, showed over 1,000 16-24 year-olds in Teignbridge were on Universal Credit - almost triple the figure from the same time the previous year.
Teignbridge Council is directly taking on 14 of the 71 placements, with the remainder being taken on by a range of employers, such as accountancy firms, market traders and manufacturing organisations attracting a variety of roles.
Councillor Nina Jeffries, Cabinet Member for Business, Economy and Tourism, said: “We’re really pleased to have been successful in this important application to the DWP, which will provide a welcome boost to local jobs, particularly for young people who are struggling to find work or training.
“This funding will also have a positive effect on the local economy, providing additional resources and capacity to local companies who have been struggling to stay afloat through the pandemic.
“There are roles in a wide variety of organisations and businesses and they are a really good way for young people to develop a new set of skills, gain valuable experience in a work environment or start on their career pathway.
“By providing high quality employment locally, we also reduce the ‘brain drain’ of young people leaving the area to seek employment elsewhere, and helps maintain our resource of a well skilled, well educated workforce.
“We are hoping that young people claiming Universal Credit will be able to start applying for these placements through their Work Coaches in the coming weeks.”
Once the contractual details are finalised, the roles will be advertised through the DWP and applicants required to undertake an informal selection process.
Local businesses interested in offering a local Kickstart placement can find out more on our website or visit the national Kickstart scheme website.