An innovative new scheme aimed at tackling unemployment through community-based environmental projects has been launched in Denbighshire.
The scheme is part of Rhyl City Strategy’s Future Jobs Fund programme, which is funded by the Department of Work and Pensions and delivered in partnership with Jobcentre Plus. Rhyl City Strategy’s Future Jobs Fund programme is bringing together thirty plus employers from across Conwy and Denbighshire to create over 300 new jobs in a response to local youth unemployment. Since Rhyl City Strategy’s Future Jobs Fund programme started in November 2009, over 70 young people have found work.
Through their involvement in the programme, BTCV and Denbighshire Countryside Services are offering 25 employment opportunities in the coming twelve months. The new jobs provided by BTCV Cymru will result in environmental improvements within local ‘green’ sites that are accessible and used by the local community, while the partnership with Denbighshire Countryside Services means work opportunities can be offered on over 24 sites within the county. The partnership with Rhyl City Strategy has also opened up the potential for an ‘organic food growing’ social enterprise in the area.
To celebrate their involvement with Future Jobs Fund, BTCV and DCS are having an official launch at Pavilion Theatre, Rhyl, on Friday 26 February.
The purpose of the fund is to provide support to creating jobs, particularly green jobs. The jobs all last for six months and are open to young adults aged 18 – 24 years who have been claiming Job Seekers Allowance for 26 – 50 weeks. As part of the project, those taking part are offered ongoing support, advice and training to overcome long-term barriers to employment. Anyone interested in taking part should first check with their Jobcentre Plus adviser whether they are eligible.
The key aim of the programme is to increase the number of local people in work, provide opportunities for individuals to participate in community environmental projects and also to provide pathways to self employment, co-operatives, community businesses and the establishment of social enterprises.
Work and Pensions Secretary Yvette Cooper said: “I am pleased that BTCV has joined us in Backing Young Britain and has given 70 young people the chance of a job. The Government is guaranteeing every young person a job, training or work experience after six months unemployment. In the 80s youth unemployment kept rising for four years after the recession ended. We are investing in help now to make sure that will never happen again and a generation of talent isn’t wasted.”
Ioan Jenkins, BTCV Wales Director, commented: “BTCV Cymru is delighted to play such a significant part in this innovative exciting initiative”.
Tina Jones, BTCV’s North Wales Enterprises Manager, said “It is fantastic to be able to offer opportunities to young people giving them a chance to secure employment. By gaining new skills it provides them with the experience to be able to secure sustainable ‘green’ employment. The scheme demonstrates a great partnership between BTCV Cymru, Denbighshire Countryside Service and Rhyl City Strategy working together to improve the quality of green spaces in and around the Rhyl area, and at the same time provides practical skills which will be essential for a low carbon future”.
Iwan Prys-Jones, Corporate Director – Environment, Denbighshire County Council, commented: ”Denbighshire County Council are delighted to be a position to provide
worthwhile job opportunities and associated training as part of this overall partnership. The placements are focusing on Countryside Service managed sites which are diverse and range from Urban Green Open Spaces through to Coastal Sand Dunes and Heather Moorland. This ensures an interesting and broad knowledge base which will equip the participants with a wide range of transferable skills which can only help in their search for future employment. ”
Rhyl City Strategy said: “We are very happy to be working with BTCV on Future Jobs Fund. They are offering a number of young people a wonderful opportunity to increase their employment and future life prospects. BTCV’s ongoing commitment to the local economy and environment is a great example of good practice. Together we are looking forward to enabling many more young people to progress to a better quality of life.“
Case Study – Phil Gorman, 24
Having been unemployed for a long time, Phil found out about the Future Jobs Fund through his local Jobcentre just before Christmas, and was delighted how quickly this translated into action when he started in his Future Jobs Fund job on January 6th this year.
So far he has learnt skills in hedge laying, footpath construction, making habitat piles and he has also been learning about trees, habitats and how Christmas trees are being used to reinforce the sand dunes. Being an outdoor person, Phil had previously done some bricklaying, but when he heard about the Future Jobs Fund he thought it would be the ideal opportunity to work outdoors and at the same time learn different skills.
Talking about Jim Kilpatrick, Denbighshire Countryside Services Engagement Officer who is managing the project on a day-to-day basis, Phil says “Jim is great –he’s a good laugh as well as being a great work colleague”. He added “I am loving every minute of it. I’m hoping to go on a health and safety course shortly, but basically am willing to learn everything that’s available in order to get a job”.
