The Press’s Foundation for Jobs campaign has been backed by business leaders across the city.

Rachel Goddard, pictured, chair of York Professionals, said it was an excellent initiative which would be warmly welcomed by both job seekers and employers.

She said: “It will help boost links between businesses, schools and colleges and potential employees, and will act as a practical mechanism to bring all these parties together to create new opportunities and help reduce unemployment in the area, particularly for those with little or no work experience.

“I wish it every success.”

Simon Williams, North Yorkshire regional chairman of the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB), said: “It is a real concern that youth unemployment is edging back to almost a million and that average earnings growth fell to its lowest rate in over three years.

“With inflation rising, this all puts a further strain on finances and reduces the confidence business needs to take on new staff.

“The Foundation for Jobs immediately takes away one of the barriers to employment – the cost of advertising. It is an initiative that encourages employment and makes the process easier and more cost-effective. This is great news for business. We look forward to working with the Press to promote other ways to encourage employment.”

Julia Davis, partnership and employer relations manager for JobCentre Plus in York, said: “Jobcentreplus works in partnership with organisations across York to help move people into employment and we are delighted to work with The Press in the Foundation for Jobs campaign to support this recruitment initiative.”