Plaid Cymru-led Caerphilly County Borough Council has now created more than 160 apprentices and training places – and many more could be on the way.
This ambitious initiative was originally due to create 150 training and apprenticeship places over three years from April 2011 but by this January had already reached 107. A total of 162 youngsters are now involved in the scheme.
Councillor James Fussell, Cabinet Member for Human Resources, said:
“Plaid launched this scheme because, as a council, l we felt it was crucial to provide training opportunities for our young people. Unemployment among young people is too high and they must not be left on the scrapheap with no hope.
“We wanted to provide training places to improve their opportunities of finding employment and that is why we invested almost £500,000.”
Councillor Fussell added: “This scheme has grown rapidly and exceeded all our expectations. At this rate of uptake the three-year programme of 150 placements could well be doubled if not more. If that happens we will need additional finance to support and this is something this Plaid council is looking at.
“We are looking at the way the council delivers additional placements given the interest shown from the business fraternity. If the council sets its self up as the main hub and allows access to placements into the private sector, then I believe this could run into thousands of opportunities for our young unemployed.
“Council tenants have handed the authority the challenge of meeting the Welsh Housing Quality Standard. And this will mean more trade apprentices within the Housing departments as over the next seven years at least.
“If Plaid is re-elected then I’m confident that all the stops will be pulled out to ensure the apprenticeship and training scheme develops further into a borough-wide scheme with the ultimate aim of getting as many unemployed into work.”
