WIREDGOV

Youth employment programme ensures fluid expansion for Swansea manufacture 

A Swansea fluids manufacturer has expanded its operation and given five local youngsters a route out of unemployment after signing up to the Welsh Government’s flagship youth employment  programme.

Deputy Minister for Skills and Technology, Ken Skates, visited Hydra Technologies, the UK’s leading manufacturer of specialist heat transfer fluids and antifreeze solutions for the renewable energy, refrigeration and air conditioning sectors, last week  (Thursday 10 April) to see how Jobs Growth Wales has helped with the company’s growth plans.

Working in partnership with Acorn’s Learning and Development Division, Hydra Technologies has taken on five 16 to 24 year-olds since September 2012, all of whom joined on six-month Jobs Growth Wales job opportunities.

The new recruits have played a key role in fulfilling the rapidly increasing demand for Hydra Technologies’ revolutionary products, working primarily in manufacturing and distribution.

The Jobs Growth Wales programme, which is backed by the European Social Fund, is designed to create 12,000 job opportunities over 3 years for unemployed work-ready 16-24 year-olds, helping to reimburse their wages for 6 months. Now entering its third year, the flagship youth employment programme has already created over 11,800 job opportunities across Wales, with over 9,000 young people filling those jobs.

Thanks to an additional £12.5 million from the Welsh Government’s budget, Jobs Growth Wales is to be extended for a fourth year. This means more than 4,000 extra job opportunities for 16-24 year olds in 2015/16.

Steve Hickson, managing director of Hydra Technologies, said the Jobs Growth Wales programme has provided the perfect solution to their recruitment needs over the last two years.

“We are a highly progressive company and are always looking for ways to expand and introduce new talent into the business,” he said. “Getting involved in Jobs Growth Wales has been invaluable. Not only has it given us an affordable way to take on the new staff we’ve needed to maximise the company’s potential for growth, but we’ve also been able to give local youngsters access to credible work experience where they have had a chance to learn, develop new skills and earn a wage.”

One of the staff members who joined Hydra Technologies following his Jobs Growth Wales opportunity was Ricky Owen, now 25, from Ogmore Vale. Previously unemployed for several months, Ricky said the new job had turned his life around.

“I had been really struggling to find a job that not only appealed to me but also met the skills and experience I already had. The job opportunity was fantastic. It helped me to gain the skills and knowledge I needed in order to apply for one of the permanent jobs available,” he said. “If it had not been for Jobs Growth Wales, I would probably still be looking for a work. Instead now I feel like I am on a focused career pathway with a promising future ahead of me."

Visiting Hydra Technologies , the Deputy Minister said the company was a perfect example of how both Welsh employers and young people can benefit from the scheme.

“Meeting the team here today has shown me yet again how Jobs Growth Wales can not only help provide fantastic opportunities for young people who would otherwise be out of work but also allow employers in Wales to grow their business by accelerating their recruitment plans.

“The programme is clearly reaping huge rewards for all involved and we are really proud of the progress that has been made in its first two years. As well as helping to reduce youth unemployment, which  is falling faster here in Wales than anywhere else in the UK, the Jobs Growth Wales progression rates are particularly strong, with over 80% of young people in the private sector going on to secure sustained employment, an apprenticeship or further learning after their six month job opportunity.”

Emily Davey, Corporate Development Manager at Acorn said:

“Welsh Government schemes like Jobs Growth Wales are vital for youth employment and add real value to the Welsh economy.

“This employment programme has enhanced these young people’s lives, creating them a stepping stone into future learning and work opportunities with fresh confidence, skills and greater employability. Several have now progressed onto the Young Recruits Apprenticeship Programme.”