MORE than 40 young people have so far benefited from the Isle of Wight Council’s pre-apprenticeship scheme.
The £85,000 scheme was launched earlier this year to provide NEETs — young people not in employment, education or training — with a council-funded six-month work placement and training, helping them to access full apprenticeships.
So far, 42 young people have embarked on a work placement in industries, ranging from business administration and retail to plumbing and boatbuilding, and six have been taken on as full-time apprentices.
A further 20 work placements are due to be created in the near future.
Another council scheme, to invest £300,000 in helping 160 young people find jobs and start their own businesses through full apprenticeship and entrepreneur projects, was launched last month.
It will run alongside the government’s apprenticeship scheme, which means employers are entitled to £750 from the council for each apprentice they take on, £750 from the government and a further £1,500 if they are in the green sector.
The scheme is targeted at businesses that do not have any apprentices.
It is hoped the schemes will help reduce the Island’s high levels of youth unemployment.
The latest figures show 3.9 per cent of the population generally, and 9.1 per cent of 18 to 24 year olds, are currently in receipt of Job Seeker’s Allowance, while around 200 young people are classed as NEETs.
Reporter: emilyp@iwcpmail.co.uk