We're Backing Young Britain
9-2-2010
Connexions Berkshire, which is part of the Connexions Thames Valley Group, is pleased and proud to be Backing Young Britain.
We have announced our support for the Government’s Backing Young Britain campaign, which encourages organisations to provide Britain’s young people with the opportunities they need to get into employment.
The campaign, which was launched in July 2009, aims to provide Britain’s young people with new opportunities so they can reach their full potential and play a part in building a stronger future for the country.
The Backing Young Britain campaign asks organisations to commit to one or more of the following:
- Offer Apprenticeships
- Give a young person a job
- Provide experience of work
Connexions Thames Valley are playing their part in the campaign, which is bringing together the Government, businesses and other organisations to create thousands of opportunities for young people, by introducing their own Apprenticeship recruitment programme. Connexions Thames Valley currently employs six apprentices across the region and has plans to recruit more in the future. The organisation also offers work experience placements to young people so that they can learn valuable skills and gain experience in the world of work.
Katharine Horler, Connexions Thames Valley’s Chief Executive, said, “We are absolutely delighted to be providing these opportunities to young people and if more organisations follow our lead, our future workforce will be better trained and more job-ready. In a tough labour market it is critical we do our part to ensure this generation is not trapped by unemployment. I urge other organisations in the Thames Valley to support this campaign, as the skills and talents of our local young people can’t afford to be wasted. By providing young people with their ‘first breaks’, organisations really can make a huge difference to the future of this generation.”
Employers can currently benefit from a £2,500 grant if they recruit a 16 or 17 year old apprentice. The National Apprenticeship Service will be providing 5,000 Apprenticeship Grants to employers who take on unemployed 16-17 year olds as apprentices. The £2,500 grant is in addition to the costs of training which is met by the National Apprenticeship Service. The grant is available immediately, but the initiative is short-term, as the young person will need to have been recruited and in work before the end of March 2010. For further information Employers can visit www.apprenticeships.org.uk/Employers/AGE16and17 or call 08000 150 600
To find out more about Backing Young Britain, or to show your support for the campaign go to www.hmg.gov.uk/backingyoungbritain
For more details about Connexions Thames Valley visit www.cxtv.org.uk
