The Government’s Youth Contract Scheme has dominated the news lately, creating a considerable amount of backlash in response to Nick Clegg’s invite for employers to join.
The £126 million scheme is set to tackle youth unemployment and forms part of the coalition government’s Youth Contract Scheme which was revealed in November 2011; addressing growing youth unemployment.
The scheme is targeting ‘Neets’ (teens who are not in education, employment or training), offering businesses and charities the opportunity to apply for funding for up to £2,200 to take them on as employees. The scheme is to include 160,000 job subsidies and an extra 20,000 apprenticeships, with at least 55,000 ‘neets’ – those who have no GCSEs at grades C or above – expected to benefit.
The initiative comes in the wake of the rise in unemployment figures for the last quarter in 2011 and Mr. Clegg’s backed plans to increase University fees across the UK, potentially having a serious affect on the graduate jobs market.
The numbers of 16 to 24-year-olds out of work soared by 22,000 to hit 1.04 million in December 2011.
Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg has said: “Sitting at home with nothing to do when you’re so young can knock the stuffing out of you for years.”
“This problem isn’t new, but in the current economic climate we urgently need to step up efforts to ensure some of our most troubled teenagers have the skills, confidence and opportunities to succeed.”
Tracey FitzGerald, Partner – Wallace Hind Selection says…
“As part of their growth plans Wallace Hind have identified the need to enhance their administration team. In keeping with our commitment to helping the country tackle youth unemployment we have entered into a contract with Intec Apprenticeship Recruitment scheme to take on a young person to work as a trainee Administrative Assistant.
We believe we can offer a young person a structured and interesting entrance into the working world and our comprehensive training and development plan should ensure they are set up very well for the rest of their working career.”
How do you feel about the Youth Contract scheme – do you think it is a good idea and will it work? Would you consider attending University if the fees were not as expensive?