Backing Young Bury launched with celebrity support

Date published: 29 July 2010

Bury Council has launched a campaign to help 100 young people gain valuable skills through work experience and apprenticeships.

Backing Young Bury, which is supported by celebrity business guru Lord Sugar, aims to recruit local talent and develop learning and skills in the current tough economic climate.

One of the first initiatives is the Super 6 Scheme to provide 11 young people who are not in education, employment or training with work experience with the council for six months. The scheme is funded by the Commission for the New Economy and successful candidates will start an apprenticeship at the council in September this year.

Anna Hobson is the Backing Young Bury co-ordinator, and she is developing a range of events to further this campaign. The first is a Backing Young Bury Day, on October 20, which will formally launch the scheme to organisations across Greater Manchester and highlight its achievements to date.

Lord Alan Sugar has personally endorsed the Backing Young Bury project and the project initiatives, saying: “I have seen the talent that the next generation has to offer in my travels around the country and I believe we need to invest in young people now more than ever, to make sure businesses survive these difficult times and to fully exploit the opportunities of tomorrow. Initiatives like Backing Young Bury help in meeting these challenges and I wish the project every success.”

Councillor Iain Gartside, cabinet member for resource, said: “The council wants to support young people during these challenging economic times. Being able to include a positive work experience placement on a CV can really help make a difference when applying for a job.”