PLANS to allocate £300,000 for projects to tackle youth unemployment will come before the Isle of Wight Council this month.
The ruling Tory group at County Hall has tabled a motion for January's full council meeting, proposing the funding be set aside to help create jobs and employment opportunities for young people.
As previously reported by the County Press, the plans would include using this year's projected underspend of £1.8 million to fund one-off schemes.
They follow a previously announced pre-apprenticeship scheme to invest £85,000 in helping young people gain apprenticeships.
Council leader Cllr David Pugh said: "We all know the Island’s young people face many challenges in finding employment and work-based learning opportunities, particularly in the current economic climate.
"The £85,000 we announced in November to support pre-apprenticeship schemes is making a real difference but it is clear more funding is needed to increase the opportunities available.
"This significant investment, if agreed, would provide support for a minimum of 160 young people — along with hopefully many others benefiting from wider initiatives we will be seeking to pilot with this funding.
"In particular, we are keen to explore supporting new full apprenticeships for young people and a new initiative for young entrepreneurs looking to start their own businesses, supported by mentoring provided by established businesses.
"We will also be looking to use this funding to organise a jobs fair where businesses can promote these job and apprenticeship opportunities to young people.
"We are only in a position to bring these proposals forward now because we have put the council’s house in order over the past year, thereby releasing funding to support economic initiatives such as this. The council will continue to take the necessary decisions to deliver a balanced budget, freeze council tax and release funding for such projects in a timely manner. This proposal would accelerate this investment in advance of next month’s budget-setting process, so the plans can begin with immediate effect.
"I very much hope members will support this essential investment when the motion is debated next week, given the benefit these initiatives should offer for the next generation of Islanders and their future careers."
A number of options have been outlined in a recently published delegated decision paper, the Economic Development Delivery Action Plan.
This month's full council meeting will be held at County Hall, on January 25.
Reporter: emilyp@iwcpmail.co.uk