A government scheme aimed at tackling joblessness among the youth caused by the pandemic has helped to create over 19,000 work placements so far, claim the Treasury.
The scheme which had been initially announced in July, has many of its young people starting their placements this week.
It comes as youth unemployment between the ages of 16-24 has reached a high of 13.4%, while the overall UK number is only 4.1%
A new £2 billion Kickstart Scheme will also be launched to create hundreds of thousands of new, fully subsidised jobs for young people across the country. Those aged 16-24, claiming Universal Credit and at risk of long-term unemployment, will be eligible.
It opened for applications in August and began last week. It will run until December 2021 – with the option of being extended. A range of employers has signed up to the scheme, including Network Rail and KFC.
Although they have praised the scheme, the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) have said they need the application process for businesses to be easier.
Also included within this scheme is the allocation of £5.8 billion towards construction projects such as roads, hospital maintenance, court repairs, as well as school and college maintenance.
All proposals have been featured within this document: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/898421/A_Plan_for_Jobs__Web_.pdf
