Caerphilly County Borough Council has launched a new training scheme offering people aged between 16 and 18 work placements in departments across the local authority.
The Children’s Commissioner for Wales, Sally Holland was present at the official launch recently to welcome the first five trainees who have successfully gained a place on the Cynydd Progress Scheme.
Jasmine Edwards, Josh Allen, Bretski Fergusson, Alex Pascoe and Dafydd Jones will join staff in leisure, procurement, Llancaiach Fawr, and facilities management to gain valuable work experience whilst working towards a Level 1 qualification with the training organisations ACT and ITEC.
The scheme will primarily support young people leaving care, with the remaining places offered to youngsters not in education, employment or training programmes.
Leader of Caerphilly County Borough Council, Cllr Keith Reynolds, said: “The Cynydd Progress Scheme is an impressive new initiative working to support those youngsters who are in our care to ensure they have opportunities to access qualifications and gain valuable work experience.
“As corporate parents to these young people we feel it is our duty to guide and support them to achieve success.”
Sally Holland, The Children’s Commissioner for Wales, said: “Caerphilly Council is a leading light in terms of supporting young people and should be commended for launching this new initiative. I look forward to seeing many more young people signing up to the scheme.”