Partner Article

Minister praises Tyne and Wear employment efforts

DWP Minister Jonathon Shaw visited the region this week to explore new work opportunities for young people in the region.

The Government’s Future Jobs Fund will be launched next month, and Mr Shaw took time to find out from young apprentices how they aim to use their skills to boost their employment opportunities.

He was invited by the Tyne and Wear City Region Partnership, who will receive £22m government funding to help provide 3,450 jobs for those aged between 18 and 24 and the long-term unemployed by March 2011.

The minister also visited the North Tyneside Skills and Enterprise Centre in Embleton Avenue, Wallsend, which will be providing some of the 207 paid opportunities.

Mr Shaw said: “Today I’ve seen how the strong partnership between local authorities in Tyne and Wear intends to use the Future Jobs Fund to boost people’s prospects.

“I was delighted to visit the North Tyneside Skills and Enterprise Centre to speak to some of their apprentices, and to see the excellent facilities which will be helping equip our young people for the world of work.”

Councillor Iain Malcolm, Leader of South Tyneside Council and the City Region’s spokesperson on Employment and Skills said: “Our young people and long-term unemployed need our support. There are currently over 27,000 18-24 year-olds on Jobseekers Allowance in the North East and one in five of them have been unemployed for more than six months.

“This is our opportunity to deliver real work experience, increase their employment skills and self esteem.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Ruth Mitchell .