Businesses in Caerphilly County Borough are being urged to apply for the Jobs Growth Wales programme.
Under the scheme, companies can take new staff on aged between 16 and 24 with the Welsh Government covering the wage cost for six months.
The idea is that a business grows in those six months for the position to become permanent.
The first phase of the programme ended earlier this year, with £25 million of EU funds then secured in the spring for three further years.
Caerphilly County Borough is covered by eight training providers, who together are offering 159 jobs.
Stephen Weller, of training provider Itec Skills and Employment, said: “Jobs Growth Wales is incredibly popular, because employers from a range of sectors can specify exactly the sort of person they are looking for and what they want them to bring to the business.
“Because it is fully-funded for six months, it unlocks opportunities in SMEs who are hesitant about taking on the responsibility of creating a new position. In most cases, after those six months, the companies create a full-time, permanent position.”
Jobs Growth Wales is open to all SMEs in Wales: employers wanting to find out more can contact Itec’s Jobs Growth Wales helpline on 029 2071 3242.
Jobs Growth Wales is the most successful scheme of its type in Europe. So far about 85% of young people joining it have progressed into permanent jobs, apprenticeships or further training. It’s also helped countless smaller firms to grow as a result of this investment. Half of the total cost is paid via the European Social Fund which really shows how important continued membership of the EU is for Wales.