Jobs Growth Wales New Opportunities Announced

by David Phillips
(North Wales)

A £75 million JOBS GROWTH WALES Scheme which will create 12,000 jobs is announced by the Labour Welsh Government. This will see 4,000 new jobs created each year for the next three years.

Given the specific economic challenges facing Anglesey this initiative is very timely and welcome, and should make a significant contribution to reducing unemployment particularly amongst young people.

Starting in April 2012, Jobs Growth Wales – which will help to meet one of Welsh Labour’s key commitments to the people of Wales - will create 4,000 new job opportunities a year across Wales for unemployed young people, aged 16-24, for a 6-month period.

Participants will be paid at or above the National Minimum Wage for a minimum of 25 hours per week. The programme will cater for those that are job ready but can’t find employment. It will be funded by £25m per year over the term of government.

This autumn will see a small pilot to test the approach within the private sector and to iron out any creases before the wider programme implementation from April next year.

A specific strand will also be developed to target graduates building on the existing Go Wales Programme.

A further strand of the scheme has also been developed to help micro-businesses to employ for the first time and grow their base.

The energy sector has been identified as a key sector for Wales going forward, and a further strand will be nurtured in this area, helping to meet the Welsh Government’s commitment to reducing carbon emissions.

Robust eligibility criteria and quality standards will be established prior to the implementation of Jobs Growth Wales.

A moderating panel will be established from January 2012 to ensure these are being met. Membership of the panel will include employers, Job Centre Plus and Wales TUC.

Photo by Hilde Vanstraelen, Belgium

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