Redcar and Cleveland youth employment scheme hailed success

A scheme to give young people unemployed or not in education a chance has been hailed a success and now more opportunities are planned.

The Kickstart programme gives out-of-work 16 to 24-year-olds a total of six months employment and also training and support to help them secure a full-time job.

The council took on 30 young people earlier this year on the Government-backed scheme and 20 have now gained employment either at the authority or elsewhere.

Last week a further 14 young people were taken on and now 34 council managers have agreed to offer more positions in January and February. Those employment opportunities will be advertised through the Job Centre in December.

Councillor Glyn Nightingale, Cabinet Member for Resources, said: “It really is heartening to see these young people grabbing their opportunities with both hands. Of course, it’s great for the 18 who now have full-time work.

“The others can take heart too that they now have valuable experience they move forward with their lives. Local talented, hard-working young people deserve the chance to find careers right here close to where they live.”