The Newport Future Jobs Fund was launched yesterday at Malpas Court in Newport.
The government-funded scheme, which has been led by Newport City Council’s Community Development team and its partners, has been a great success – creating 472 six-month contract jobs in Newport, in a period of just 18 months.
A number of the scheme’s first employees and employers were present at the launch, along with Cabinet Members from Newport City Council.
Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Service Delivery, Cllr Ed Townsend, said: “This scheme will give a large number of young people a chance to gain experience of work and to improve their skills.
“Newport was successful in its bid for money from this programme because Council officers were able to react quickly and meet tight deadlines. Our aim is to use this scheme as a starting point to help improve job opportunities for young people in Newport.”
Cabinet Member for Housing and Community Services, Cllr Richard White, said: “It is very encouraging that the Council has been able, together with our partner organisations, to create these opportunities for employment.
“I hope this will lead to permanent long-term employment for those involved. I wish all the participants success in achieving this aim”.
The Future Jobs Fund was announced in the 2009 Budget and is run by the Department for Work and Pensions in partnership with the Department for Communities and Local Government, collaborating with Jobcentre Plus, Regional Government Offices and the Welsh Assembly.
The £1 billion programme aims to provide employment for at least six months to young people aged between 18-24 who live in unemployment ‘hotspots’ and haven’t worked in the previous 12 months.
