County’s young people set for a jobs boost

Carmarthenshire is set for a jobs boost with a grant worth over half a million pound to help people back in to employment.

Carmarthenshire County Council has secured a £630,500 Future Jobs Fund grant from the Department of Work and Pensions to fund 97 new jobs across the county over the next six months.

The aim of the Future Jobs Fund (FJF) is to provide people who have been unemployed for 39 weeks or more the opportunity to secure gainful employment.

The jobs will range from posts within the authority to others that are based with third sector organisations.

The posts will be newly created and are primarily aimed at 18-24-year-olds, although there will also be help for those aged over 25 who live in the most deprived areas of Carmarthenshire.

Carmarthenshire Training Sir Gar will be working closely with employers and eligible FJF participants to secure employment beyond the six months, whether that is with the FJF employer or a new employer.

Shan Williams, Project Manager, said: “We have just submitted 20 vacancies to Jobcentre Plus, with a further 20 vacancies set to become available in November.

“They include vacancies as diverse as IT to woodland management, including opportunities at our European Centre and within youth arts.”

The FJF is part of the Department for Work and Pensions Young Person’s Guarantee, which was announced in the Government’s 2009 Budget Report.

The DWP says that from early 2010, everyone in between the ages of 18 and 24 who has been looking for work for a year will get an offer of a job, work experience, or training lasting at least six months.

Cllr Clive Scourfield, executive board member for regeneration said: “I am delighted that Carmarthenshire has secured this funding, which will help us to deliver real benefits to our communities.

“We are trying in a number of different ways to help people gain meaningful employment, and part of this is encouraging skilled young people to live and work in Carmarthenshire so that they will help us build a strong economy for the future.”

For further information about the fund contact Jake Williams, Future Jobs Fund Project Co-ordinator, Carmarthenshire Training Sir Gar, on 01554 744320, or e-mail jtwilliams@carmarthenshire.gov.uk

Those looking for employment opportunities are advised to seek further information from Jobcentre Plus.