Published October 19, 2020 at 10:04
A BESPOKE council youth project to help 18-25 year olds in Rossendale into work has received funding from the Department of Work and Pensions.
The Rossendale Council scheme will offer a holistic and tailored approach working with partners and using the experience gained by the hugely successful Rossendale Works project.
Rossendale Council Leader Councillor Alyson Barnes said: “I am delighted to announce that the council’s Economic Development department has secured £50,000 to extender our employability offer.
“This is an exciting new initiative for Rossendale and we look forward to appointing a Youth Officer to oversee the scheme.
“Participants will get a four to six week work experience placement with a local employer which we hope will help them secure a job in the long run and sporting opportunities.”
Since its formation in 2018 as a partnership between the council and Active Lancashire, Rossendale Works has helped 68 people to gain full-time employment and arranged 60 work placements.
Support workers have also run more than 200 sporting and physical activities, found 32 people volunteer positions and helped 30 participants complete training – everything from forklift truck driving to first aid.
Active Lancashire Chief Executive Adrian Leather said: “It is great that we are able to build on the success of the Rossendale Works programme by working in partnership with Rossendale Borough Council, to deliver a focussed Youth Employment Hub.
“This will provide young people with much needed support at this time, to improve their chances of being successful in finding long-term employment.”
Rossendale Council is also applying to become Gateway lead for the Government’s Kickstart Scheme, where businesses can receive funding to support full-time jobs for 18-24 year olds.
Councillor Barnes said: “If this is approved it means that following a successful work experience placement, the young person could then be enrolled on the Kickstart Scheme, giving them a fantastic opportunity and giving the employer a member of staff at little cost who will also be supported by the council scheme.”
In Rossendale there are 6,700 people classes as economically inactive and 3,030 claiming out-of-work benefits and 17.2 per cent of Universal Credit claimants are aged 18-24.
A spokesperson for the DWP said “We see the jobcentre as an integral part of the local community, so we are delighted that the Department for Work and Pensions was able to provide funding towards the Rossendale Youth Employment Hub. Entering the world of work can be a daunting prospect for young people, even without the difficulties caused by covid, and the steps we take to support our 16 to 24 year olds now will be vital to the future of the local economy. We are excited to be part of the project and to offer our support to the young people of Rossendale.”
Mims Davies MP, Minister for Employment, said: “By rolling out Youth Hubs across local communities like this one in Rossendale, young people will be able to access vital, suitable support from our Work Coaches in a range of settings helping to match them with local opportunities whether it’s more training or to help them move into employment.
“This is a challenging time and we are serious about investing in young people as we get Britain back working again and moving further into recovery. That’s why, as part of our Youth Offer, we are also injecting £2 billion into the DWP Kickstart scheme, creating new, subsidised, high-quality roles for under 25s as we continue our work to protect, support and create jobs.”
Anyone wanting to know more about the programmes is asked to call 01706 252480 or email economicdevelopment@rossendalebc.gov.uk