Department for Work and Pensions
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Cash is on the table for businesses to employ youth in 2013, says Minister
Minister for Employment, Mark Hoban, challenged businesses as he launched the new 'Youth Contract: Works for me' advertising drive on local radio stations. The campaign raises awareness of the £1bn Youth Contract, the Government’s package of support offering nearly half a million opportunities to help 18-24 year-olds into work.
Mr Hoban is particularly urging businesses to take advantage of 160,000 wage incentives offered as part of the package. These give employers up to £2,275 when they take on a young person who has been unemployed for more than six months.
Mr Hoban, said:
"My message to businesses for 2013 is simple: We've got up to £2,275 of cash sitting on the table waiting for you to take it up. So take on a young person, who's been out of work for six months, and the cash is yours.
"There really is no better time to change a young person's life and invest in the future of your business at the same time, so snap up the money before someone else beats you to it.
"With the extra work experience placements and apprenticeships we’re also providing we will ensure young jobseekers have the skills they need to make a real contribution in the workplace. They just need to get their foot in the door so they can prove their worth to local businesses."
Over the next two weeks the Youth Contract advertising campaign will feature on local radio stations across the North East, before working its way down the country to radio stations in Yorkshire & the Humber, and Birmingham throughout February.
To find out how the Youth Contract can benefit your business, call Jobcentre Plus on 0845 6012001 (option 2), or visit online: www.dwp.gov.uk/youth-contract
Notes to Editors
- The key elements of the Youth Contract are:
- 160,000 wage incentives worth up to £2,275 each for employers who recruit an 18 to 24 year old through the Work Programme or Jobcentre Plus;
- An extra 250,000 work experience (available across Great Britain) or sector-based work academy places (available in England and Scotland)
- A further 20,000 Apprenticeship Grants for Employers, to encourage small and medium employers to recruit their first 16 to 24 year old apprentice, taking the total number to 40,000 (in England only)
- Additional support through Jobcentre Plus by way of more adviser time and weekly contact.
- An opportunity to have a careers interview with the National Careers Service (in England)
- Around £120m to help the most vulnerable 16/17 year old NEETs (not in employment, education and training) in England back in to education, training or a job with training.
