- 02/02/2016
- Posted by: Joyce Watson MS
- Category: Feature
A local AM is urging young people to consider Jobs Growth Wales, as new figures show how successful it has been.
Jobs Growth Wales is a Welsh Labour Government programme that reimburses local employers for employing young people aged 16-24 for the first six months.
Joyce Watson AM has welcomed a new advertising campaign hitting large and small screens across Wales, which aims to get more young people into work through the successful scheme.
Jobs Growth Wales has so far created 2,811 job opportunities for 16-25 year olds across Mid and West Wales, with 2,486 opportunities filled.
The latest figures show that 80% of participants go on to take up jobs, apprenticeships or further training opportunities.
Mrs Watson, who sits on the Assembly’s Enterprise and Business committee, has taken a keen interest in the development of this programme, meeting young people and businesses benefiting from this opportunity.
Joyce Watson AM, who chairs the Assembly’s Cross Party Group on Construction said:
“I have seen for myself how the programme has made a huge difference to local youngsters.
“There has been good take-up in the engineering sector, for example, and it has also benefited the small businesses which we have so many of in our part of Wales.
“When I ran small businesses before I was elected, this support would have made all the difference to me being able to take a chance on a promising youngster.
“Jobs growth Wales has created nearly 14,000 job opportunities in the private sector across Wales, which is particularly welcome.
“This shows the Labour Welsh Government leading the way, creating real jobs and futures for our next generation.
“If you know someone between 16 and 24 who is looking for a job, then I urge you to ask them to search for Jobs Growth Wales on Facebook or Twitter, check out the careerswales.com web-site, or call 0800 028 4844.”
The advertising campaign will be seen across Wales, with adverts appearing in cinemas, as well as on social media including Twitter and Facebook.
For further details about Joyce Watson AM’s work contact her office on 0300 200 7093, or click on www.joycewatson.org.uk
