Member Article

Work to combat youth unemployment delivers results

Almost 250 apprentices have been supported into work as part of a local authority’s drive to combat youth unemployment.

Redcar and Cleveland Council has engaged with more than 100 private firms to help create the posts as well as taking on 70 apprentices itself.

In addition, the council has secured £600,000 in external funding for apprentices as part of the on going initiative.

Mark Hannon, the council’s cabinet member for economic development, said: “Apprentices earn a real salary and study for a recognised vocational qualification while gaining valuable workplace skills and experience.

“The training and development of our young people is one of our key priorities and is absolutely crucial to the future prosperity of the borough.”

Employment opportunities, such as apprenticeships, are highlighted in a report on economic development and the council’s 15-year Regeneration Masterplan, going to cabinet next week.

Councillors will hear how £430m of private cash was secured for the borough through firms such as SSI and PD Ports while a further £85m was invested by public sector bodies, including the council, during phase one of the masterplan.

Furthermore, they will hear how the council is seeking to engage high-growth small to medium sized enterprises during phase two, currently in its first year.

The new sector-based approach - focusing on advanced manufacturing, logistics, creative industries, retail, tourism and hospitality - has already yielded results.

For example, the council has worked to identify grant funding to support a £2.2m expansion for Skelton-based, Tees Components, expected to create 27 new jobs.

Meanwhile, the six months up to July has already seen general unemployment in the borough fall to 5.9 per cent, its lowest in three years, while unemployment amongst 18 to 24-year-olds fell by 340 in the same period.

Cllr Hannon said: “Despite the current economic climate and the challenges facing local government Redcar & Cleveland Borough Council is delivering results and will continue to do so.”

The full report will be discussed during the next meeting of Redcar and Cleveland Council’s cabinet at the 25K Centre, Redcar, on Thursday October 24.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Martin Walker .