Young jobless shun training scheme
A scheme helping young unemployed people find work is struggling to fill places.
Youth charity the Prince's Trust has had to postpone its latest course in Melton because of a shortage of candidates.
Laura Henderson, team leader of the Prince's Trust Melton project, said eight people came forward for the latest course. A minimum of 10 is needed.
She said: "It's often difficult when you're dealing with people who are unemployed to try to get to them in the first place. I wish I knew what the answer was, other than keep trying to plug it as much as we can.
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"It's a 12-week programme and people can still claim benefits while they're on it, so they're not losing anything by taking part. They get a free activities week and we pay their travel costs so they won't be losing out – if anything, they're gaining from it."
The course is now scheduled to start on November 12.
It comes despite a rise in unemployment. The charity said the number of people aged 18 to 24 in the town who had been unemployed for more than six months stood at 90, according to the Office for National Statistics.
It is an increase from five in 2008.
The Prince's Trust runs 12-week projects for young people, in conjunction with Leicestershire Fire and Rescue Service.
The courses involve community projects, an activities week, work placements and information and advice on interview and CV writing skills.
Of 22 young people who took part in projects in Melton in January and May, 16 have either found jobs or gone back into education. "People who take part in the project gain a Level 1 certificate in employment, teamwork and community skills," said Laura.
"It's sometimes hard to get people motivated to come along.
"We work with a lot of organisations including job centres, young offenders and probation and we are on Facebook and Twitter."
Councillor Malise Graham said: "If there are young people out there who are long-term unemployed, I would urge them to contact us and we will see what we can do to help."
The Prince's Trust is holding an open day at Brooksby Melton College, in Asfordby Road, Melton, on Monday.
The courses are open to youngsters aged 16 to 25 who are not in employment, education or training.
For more information about the open day or to apply for a place on the next course, contact Laura on 07966 111274 or Gemma on 07966 111208.
Comments
by oldhenry
Thursday, November 01 2012, 11:51AM
“I suspect that if people are getting benefits anyway , why bother having to go on a course that will only lead to having to work for a living!
A mugs game, after 45 years I retired but to some 45 years work seems a lifetime ( ho,ho). I just went to work , studied in my own time at night and at my cost , became qualified and got a good career. I now have a final salary pension indexed linked. But can youngsters look forward to that sort of scenario now?
No , they know that the government will diddle them at each way , so they may as well stay on benefits.
Governmnet have removed the incentive to create a career and the rewards go to media get rich-quick-types , especially if you help fund a political party as you'll get a title then. And that applies to both parties I am afraid.”
by Rodders65
Thursday, November 01 2012, 10:05AM
“They should have advertised that game consuls would be available to play on, the young uns would have been queuing at the door.”