| Wales Office Minister Wayne David and Welsh Assembly Government Education Minister Leighton Andrews have joined forces with a former winner of TV’s The Apprentice to encourage local employers to say ‘you’re hired’ to more young people.
The Ministers joined Apprentice winner Tim Campbell at an employer breakfast at Cineworld cinema in Cardiff, aimed to highlight the UK Government’s ‘Backing Young Britain’ campaign and encourage local employers to create new opportunities for young people to help them through the recession.
Backing Young Britain is bringing businesses and public and voluntary sectors together to ensure that the valuable skills and experience of our young people aren’t being wasted.
Mr David said: “We know young people in Wales and the UK have been particularly hard hit by the recession. That is why as a Government, we are and will continue to invest heavily to support young people through this difficult time. Schemes such as the Future Jobs Fund have already created more than 9,000 opportunities for young people aged 18-24 across Wales.
“Young people are the recruits of tomorrow and their potential will be vital as we begin to move towards recovery. If just half of the 1.2 million employers in the UK took on one intern, more than 600,000 young people would be given a chance in a tough jobs market.
“We’re backing young Britain. I would encourage employers across Wales to do what they can, with the support from the Government, to Back Young Britain and give our young people hope for a brighter future.�
Leighton Andrews said: “It’s imperative that we do everything possible to ensure that young people are actively engaged in the labour market, especially during these challenging economic times.
“We can’t work in isolation; schemes like Backing Young Britain provide a great opportunity for employers, employees, government in Wales and Westminster to join forces to help young people find work and long term success.�
Also on the panel at the event was Richard Shaw, HR Manager, RWEnpower, Aberthaw Power Station and Linda Badman, Jobcentre Plus. The breakfast was hosted by Tim Campbell, who worked for Amstrad after being hired by Sir Alan Sugar on the TV show. He is now the founder of Bright Ideas Trust, a social enterprise which encourages young budding entrepreneurs from disadvantaged backgrounds to start business ventures.
CASE STUDY
Groundwork volunteering programme helps young workers pave the way for a brighter future
Groundwork Bridgend & Neath Port Talbot are Backing Young Britain and helping young people develop work skills and confidence through training and volunteering programmes.
Through a number of community-based projects, young people are being supported by the firm to play a more active role in the Trust’s programmes and in many cases become mentors to others in their community.
Dewi Bowen, 21, is one of the volunteers and was unemployed until the placement arose at Groundwork through the Future Jobs Fund programme. He comments: “I’ve been on the Future Jobs Fund now for four months and it has been a really helpful and educational experience.
“I’ve learnt to be ready to deal with what comes at you and know the right way to get the job done effectively. Groundwork has shown me how to deal with situations that will occur in an office and how to use office equipment and develop computer skills. I plan to use my new skills and experience to get a job at the end of the six-month placement.�
Lee Turner is the Trust’s Regeneration Manager and responsible for running the Trust’s employment initiatives. He explains: “By engaging young people we can engender the ethos of our work and social responsibility to the next generation. The Future Jobs Fund programme has been a very positive experience for them and I would recommend it to any employers. It helps us connect with young people and brings out the skills, youthful enthusiasm and passion in them.
“The Backing Young Britain programme is something that all employers should sign up to. The scheme has an integral role to play in ensuring following generations are informed, confident, and aspirational.�
The Backing Young Britain campaign is asking for organisations to commit to one or more of the following:
Offer volunteer places or become a volunteer mentor for school or university leavers
Provide work experience opportunities
Offer internships to graduates, 18 year olds and non-graduates
Consider a young person for a job through a work trial
Supply apprenticeship opportunities for 16-24 year olds
Bid for one of the 100,000 jobs for young people from the Future Jobs Fund
Engage in a Local Employment Partnership |
