Jobs Growth Wales ends its second year on a high: Nearly 10,000 job opportunities filled and counting
24 Apr 2014 03:44 PM
Deputy Minister for Skills and Technology,
Ken Skates, has welcomed latest figures showing Jobs Growth Wales has now
created over 12,400 job opportunities, with 9,700 young people filling these
jobs
According to the monthly figures, the European Social
Fund backed programme has also filled 523 job opportunities within just one
month – compared to 488 in March.
The
figures come as latest labour market statistics show that youth unemployment
continues to fall faster in Wales than in the UK.
Jobs Growth Wales continues to perform highly when it
comes to helping young people into sustained employment.
Today’s figures show that progression rates for
Jobs Growth Wales’ largest strand, the private sector strand remain high,
with 81% of young people progressing into sustained employment, an
apprenticeship or further learning after they finish their 6 month job
opportunity.
Jobs Growth Wales also has a self-employment strand,
where young people are able to apply for support from the Welsh
Government’s Young Entrepreneurs Bursary.
Today’s figures show that thanks to this support,
249 young people in Wales have been able to start up their own
business.
Welcoming the monthly figures, the Deputy Minister
said:
“Over recent months, Wales has seen the largest
drop in youth unemployment than anywhere else in the UK.
“Make no mistake, Jobs Growth Wales has played its
part in this.
“Since April 2012, this programme has helped
nearly 10,000 young people into a job opportunity with a real prospect of
long-term employment.
“An 81% success rate in the private sector shows
just how effective the programme has been in helping young people avoid spells
of long-term unemployment.
“That’s because these are value-added,
sustainable job opportunities that allow our young people to show what they are
really capable of.
“Time and again, employers tell me just how much
of a difference hard-working, talented Jobs Growth Wales recruits have made -
both in terms of productivity and prospects for growth.
“I am delighted that the programme is entering
into its third year in such a strong position. Very soon we’ll have
passed the 10,000 mark in number of jobs filled and that is definitely worth
celebrating.”
Links
Jobs
Growth Wales