‘Give youth a chance’ to help economy thrive
A CALDERDALE college chief has backed the Government’s bid to revive the economy after the coronavirus onslaught by utilising young people.
Chancellor Rishi Sunak put the focus on job opportunities for youth in his summer statement, highlighting the need for a cash-injecting Kickstart Scheme to businesses so they can ‘step up and offer opportunities’.
John Rees, Principal and Chief Executive of Calderdale College, is pushing to reverse the damage by the recent pandemic, which has left Yorkshire with one of highest unemployment rates for 16 to 24-year-olds in the country.
Mr Rees said: “The fact Yorkshire has one of the highest unemployment rates for 16-24year olds, we need all the help we can get.
“We’re behind Rishi Sunak’s additional funding for traineeships and apprenticeships.”
Mr Sunak announced a £2bn scheme of taxpayer-funded work placements for 16 to 24-year-olds on Universal Credit, a £111m programme of unpaid traineeships combining work experience with training, and a programme for firms to be given £2,000 for each new apprentice they hire under the age of 25 and a new bonus of £1,500 for apprentices over that age.
Henri Murison, the director of the Northern Powerhouse
SKILLS: Calderdale College offers apprenticships
Partnership, said: “We need to see businesses in the Northern Powerhouse step up and offer opportunities through the Kickstart Scheme as we have greater demand here.”
Mr Rees said: “We’re fully equipped to help employers and young people rebuild, and welcome the Kickstart scheme as a great step to getting young people of Calderdale back to work.”
If you are interested in taking on an apprentice, visit: www. calderdale.ac.uk/employers.
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