Scheme to help young unemployed and Gwynedd firms

BLAENTROED is an exciting new scheme which offers unemployed young people in Gwynedd a period of work and training and an opportunity for local businesses to get help for free as they re-open and recover.

The UK Government has launched the £2bn ‘Kickstart’ scheme, which aims to create thousands of six-month job opportunities for young people without the need for the employer to contribute any money.

It can be difficult for smaller businesses to take advantage of the scheme, and as there are so many small businesses in Gwynedd, a partnership has been established between social enterprises in Nantlle, Ogwen and the Ffestiniog area along with Gwynedd Council and Grŵp Llandrillo Menai to make it easier for young people and local businesses to get involved.

There are currently around 2,000 young people in Gwynedd aged between 16 and 25 claiming universal credit or who are unemployed. The aim of the Blaentroed project is to add value to the Kickstart scheme, by helping businesses to offer young people work and career opportunities, whilst strengthening the social and economic life of the county at the same time.

Ceri Cunnington, from Cwmni Bro Ffestiniog and Dolan, said: “There is a huge challenge facing our young people and communities, but we firmly believe that this challenge creates once in a generation opportunities. This is a chance to set a precedent of working together and supporting our young people and local economies for the future.”

Twelve start-up locations will be created over the coming weeks in Bro Ffestiniog, within community businesses such as CellB, Seren, Antur Stiniog, Y Dref Werdd and private businesses such as Original Roofing Company, Caffi’r Gorlan, Edward Jones & Son and any other business or enterprise that wish to collaborate.

Contact CwmniBro@ cwmnibro.cymru / 01766 830 111/ 01766 830 082.