Major new plans to get young people into work

Date published: 03 February 2012

With more than 1,500 young people aged 16-24 out of work in Bury, Bury Council and its partners are taking the lead in creating opportunities in getting the borough’s young people back into work.

The council has announced that it is extending its corporate apprenticeship scheme to offer a minimum of 30 additional apprenticeships over the next three years.

The Backing Young Bury campaign also plans to give young people, especially those in “hard to reach” groups, the chance of extended work experience and pre-employment training to make it easier for them to find jobs.

The council and its partners in Team Bury are now appealing to local businesses to get on board and play their part in giving youngsters a brighter future.

Councillor Mike Connolly, leader of Bury Council, said: “This is a major commitment from this council, our partners and the wider business community that will make a real difference to the young people of our borough.

“We are all too aware of the impact that the current economic climate is having on the lives of our young people. Bury’s young people, like those across the UK, are struggling to secure employment and build up the skills and experience that will enhance their future opportunities. In Bury, the number of young people out of work has risen by 50 per cent between November 2010 and November 2011. In some areas, more than 30 per cent of Job Seekers Allowance claimants are aged 18-24.

“We don’t want our young people to become a lost generation whose aspirations are thwarted by a lack of opportunity to move forward in their working lives. Work experience, a starting point on their journey, is all they need to achieve their independence from a life of low pay, unemployment and lack of skills.”

Lauran Chatburn CBE, principal of Bury College, leads the Backing Young Bury project on behalf of Team Bury – this includes partner organisations such as the NHS, the police, the fire and rescue service, community groups, and Bury and Holy Cross colleges.

“Team Bury partners are already playing a significant role in helping to support young people. Partners will be providing a wide range of opportunities, including work placements, pre-employment training, employability skills workshops, and offering many additional apprenticeship opportunities across Bury.

“We are doing our bit and we now call upon our local businesses to support us further in this drive to assist our next generation,” Lauran added. “Backing Young Bury wants to make it as easy as possible for you to support our campaign, as Bury College and other training organisations are already doing.”

Cllr Connolly encouraged all Bury businesses to take advantage of this opportunity, adding: “It will find the right person for your business, find a training provider to give them the skills you need to help your business grow, and can secure funding opportunities to cover some of your costs.”

Any business that would like to support Backing Young Bury is asked to email Backingyoungbury@bury.gov.uk  

The council and its partners are also backing National Apprenticeship Week.

On 17 February, the council, the Backing Young Bury campaign, and the Work Based Learning Provider Network will be in the Mill Gate centre in Bury from 9.30am to 5pm.

Some of the council’s apprentices will be there to offer friendly advice and share their experiences with young people who may be considering going down the apprenticeship route.

Backing Young Bury will provide opportunities for young people to “shadow” one of the corporate apprentices at Bury Council and will be letting them know what opportunities are available though the BYB campaign.