Jobs Guarantee turns promise into paycheques for…

The first young people in Wales to be supported by a new UK Government programme for the long-term unemployed have started their jobs.

Launched this summer, the Jobs Guarantee scheme offers a direct route into work for all 18–24-year-olds who have been claiming Universal Credit and looking for work for 18 months.

Roles on offer are matched to the individual’s skillset, with the UK Government fully funding up to 25 hours paid work for six months to get individuals into the labour market.

3,500 young people in Wales will be supported into work by the scheme in the next three years, with the first cohort of young people having started jobs in Cardiff, Newport, Merthyr Tydfil, Bridgend, Swansea, Caerphilly and Rhondda Cynon Taf.

Recognising that the longer people are out of work the more difficult it is to start working again, young people on the scheme get bespoke support to tackle barriers – from confidence building to skills training on the job. This means young people arrive at their new employer work ready and then continue to thrive.

The Jobs Guarantee is the latest intervention in the UK Government’s ongoing, extensive employment support for young people, backed by £2.5 billion investment. It marks a major step in the Prime Minister’s drive to get more young people into work and bring hope to the more than 56,000 young people in Wales who are not earning or learning.

UK Work and Pensions Secretary Pat McFadden said:

Young people want to get on in life but for too long too many have been denied that opportunity. The Jobs Guarantee helps change that.

Seeing the first young people in Wales start their roles brings to life what this scheme is about: real jobs, proper wages, and a genuine route into a career.

As we roll this out to tens of thousands more young people in Wales and across the country, we’re backing the next generation to succeed and backing British businesses to grow with the talent they need.”

Secretary of State for Wales Stephen Kinnock said:

Today’s announcement is a vote of confidence in young people in Wales.

The Jobs Guarantee will help young people in Wales achieve that all important first step on the career ladder, helping them build confidence and skills with a direct route into work.

The scheme is just one of the measures the UK Government is taking to boost youth employment in Wales. 20 Youth Hubs are being rolled out across the country to support people into work, with the Youth Jobs Grant offering support to help businesses hire young people.”

One of the first Jobs Guarantee pilots was rolled out in South East and South West Wales.

Later this year the scheme will be expanded to all eligible 18-24 year olds who are on Universal Credit and have been looking for work for 18 months.

Local delivery partners will work with employers to match young people into roles and provide ongoing support to help placements succeed.

The Jobs Guarantee is part of the UK Government’s wider £2.5 billion youth employment investment which will support almost one million young people and open up 500,000 opportunities to earn or learn over three years – spreading opportunity to every postcode.