The first intake of trainees and apprentices have started work at Caerphilly County Borough Council.
In this year’s budget, the council put aside almost half a million pounds to invest in providing training and development opportunities for young people in the area.
Cllr Allan Pritchard, leader of the council met the first group of apprentices at Penallta House council offices last week and welcomed them to the authority.
He said: “We are delighted that the first group of young people are now on board with us. They will get the chance to gain valuable experience thanks to this excellent scheme as we want them to have the best chance of gaining real employment for the future.”
So far over 30 trainees have started working for the council is a variety of departments including office-based settings, countryside wardens and the building control team.
The authority is planning to put in place one hundred and fifty placements for people aged between 16 and 25 which will range from short term placements and training placements to full blown apprenticeship schemes.
A good initiative, I like it.
Perhaps phase II could focus on older people who want to work. There are many over 40's who would relish re-training.