A Caerphilly County Borough scheme to get youngsters into employment through training has been awarded £372,000 in funding from the Welsh Government.
The Caerphilly PASSPORT Programme has been developed by the Caerphilly Local Service Board, consisting of Caerphilly Council, Gwent Police, Aneurin Bevan Health Board, Caerphilly Business Forum and the voluntary sector.
The £372,000 funding has been awarded to the programme through the Welsh Government’s Local Service Board (LSB) initiative which is backed by the European Social Fund.
Funding will also be provided by the council, while the programme will be delivered in partnership with Communities First and Jobcentre Plus.
Cllr Harry Andrews, chair of the Caerphilly Local Service Board (LSB) and leader of the council, said: “This money will be used to give young people a route into employment through quality work placements and training opportunities.
“The LSB is working in close partnership to help improve our communities and this is an excellent example of how we can access resources to deliver real benefits to our residents.
“The scheme has been fully endorsed by all partners in the Caerphilly Local Service Board and is best practice that should be replicated across Wales.
Minister for Local Government and Communities Carl Sargeant said? ?”This is a good example of how local collaboration is flourishing with the help of the European Social Fund and Welsh Government.
“This investment will help young people to take the next steps into employment through routes such as Jobs Growth Wales. It provides an excellent way of better preparing people in Caerphilly to find work and plays a part in our drive to tackle poverty.”?
Every year, the scheme aims to create a minimum of 150 work experience opportunities, a minimum of 25 apprenticeships and a minimum of 40 job.
It also aims to reduce the number of people aged 16 to 24 claiming jobseekers allowance and the number unemployed for more than 26 weeks by 3%
Deputy Minister for Skills and Caerphilly AM Jeff Cuthbert added: “Our absolute priority in these tough times is to create jobs and enable growth. I am pleased that through our Jobs Growth Wales programme we are able to support this innovative project to create 150 job opportunities between now and December 2014.
“Opportunities for our young people are being limited by the supply of jobs and the competition for those available. It is crucial that we are providing young people with the experience and skills they need to succeed in this competitive market.”