A charity committed to the social and economic regeneration of former mining communities has announced funding to offer young people in Stoke on Trent apprenticeship and employment opportunities.
The funding agreed, which is part of the Coalfields Regeneration Trust’s (CRT)* National Apprenticeship Programme, comes as official figures from the Office for National Statistics revealed that unemployment in the UK has reached a 16-year high of 2.67 million and youth unemployment has also increased to 1.04 million.
CEO of the Trust, Gary Ellis said: “With youth unemployment figures spiralling upwards, this programme will be a real boost for young people struggling to find work. Former coalfield communities have been badly hit by the economic downturn and this has compounded the problems already experienced by young people. This programme is a direct response to help young people into work and create a strong platform for their future aspirations.”
The CRT will invest £40,000 in Stoke on Trent to generate 40 apprenticeships, which will be provided by Stoke on Trent College. The additional investment by the Trust takes the number provided to young people in coalfield areas through the programme to almost 550 and the investment by the CRT to more than £1.1 million.
This second stage of the National Apprenticeship Programme will focus on young people aged between 16 and 25 who are more than two times as likely to be out of work as older people. Nevertheless, in recognition of the increasing number of young people not in education, employment or training (NEET), over 70% of these traineeships will be created for 16 to 18 year olds.
The apprenticeships will be offered in a wide variety of industries and professions including retail, catering, customer service, care work, youth work, horticulture, construction, furniture production, plumbing, carpentry and joinery, electrics, bricklaying, housing, finance, HR, law, sport, health, business and leisure administration.
This pioneering programme will be headed by the charity, and will be delivered in partnership with local colleges and councils, providing employment opportunities in the private sector. Each apprenticeship will run for at least of 12 months and young people will begin taking up the opportunities over the next three months.
The CRT is one of many schemes, currently working to improve the working opportunities in Stoke-on-Trent for businesses and individuals. A similar scheme is the Lets Make It Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire which offers businesses that are looking to grow or work in the Staffordshire area lots of help. The Make It Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire team will be able to help you find a commercial property for your business, or give help with industry advice and support, making it easier to get the benefits of running your business from Staffordshire.
*The Coalfields Regeneration Trust (CRT) is a self-governing regeneration organisation that was established in 1999 to improve the quality of life in Britain’s mining communities.
Previous Post
Stoke-on-Trent ideally suited for new businesses with Make it Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire
