Apprentice boost for job hunters (From York Press)

Apprentice boost for job hunters

9:06am Wednesday 25th April 2012 in Jobs News By Dan Bean, dan.bean@thepress.co.uk

Selby is to benefit from a share of £150,000 to create more apprenticeships.

A report, which went before North Yorkshire County Council (NYCC) at a meeting of its executive yesterday, showed the number of people claiming Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA), in March was 1,694, up 102 on last year.

As a result of the report, Selby will benefit from a share of £150,000 to create 60 new places on courses to improve employability ahead of apprenticeships, with Scarborough and Harrogate also receiving a share of the funding.

The report said support ahead of apprenticeships is “fundamental to reducing the number of unemployed young people”, and a scheme already in use in the region will be adapted for Selby and Scarborough.

It said: “Adult Learning and Skills Service (ALSS) and Recruitment Services have developed a package of support for Northallerton College to support a cohort of young people with little or no aspirations by providing them with practical work experience, and employability training.

“On leaving school these young people will then undertake accredited training delivered by ALSS, to support the transition to employment, and where possible to an apprenticeship with NYCC.

“This model can with allocated funding now be rolled-out to other schools, particularly in Scarborough and Selby, in order to address those leaving education in this academic year who will find it difficult to access employment because they are not ‘job ready’.”

The report also showed that, across the county, the number of 18 to 24-year-olds claiming JSA in Selby had risen from 445 to 505, an increase of 13.5 per cent.

It also recommended a number of new apprenticeships should be created by the county council, working with local adult social care providers, with £36,500 five new apprenticeships to be filled by job seekers from Selby, Scarborough and Harrogate.