At last – youth unemployment is falling

YOUTH unemployment in Warrington has fallen over the last 18 months, the borough council has revealed.
Figures from the council’s Careers for Young People Service show the number of 16-18 year olds not in education, employment or training (NEET) has reduced from 6.1 per cent in March last year to 3.9 per cent in October this year.
The figure for jobseeker allowance claimants aged 18-24 in Warrington is 5.6 per cent, which is lower than the regional (6.8 per cent) and national (5.8 per cent) figures.
During the year, more young people than ever have used the Careers for Young People Service or attended careers events.
Some 115 young people attended the latest careers event and received information about applying for jobs, the recruitment process, and advice from local employers including United Utilities, Golden Gates Housing Trust, Sellafield and recruitment agency Rullion.
The service also works closely with local employers and has teamed up with the National Apprenticeship Service to host events aimed specifically at employers for them to get information and support about taking on an apprentice.
Cllr Colin Froggatt (pictured), the council’s lead member for children and young people’s services, said: “We are delighted with these figures and will continue to do everything we can to support and help young people enter employment, education or training.
“The support offered within the careers for young people service is very targeted and this includes intensive support to our most vulnerable young people, helping them find the right job or training and helping them apply for it.
“The council has also changed its own processes so we now encourage our suppliers to take on apprentices and we have recruited 45 apprentices of our own over the last year to a range of council services and they gain qualifications on the job too.”
For more information visit www.warrington.gov.uk and search for “Careers for young people”.