The Council’s Cabinet has committed to tackling youth unemployment in the borough because the number of 16–24 year olds out of work in Telford and Wrekin remains higher than those nationally and regionally.
The Cabinet has agreed a £1.3m investment to tackle youth unemployment and has signed up to a set of pledges which includes a commitment to increasing the number of the Telford Job Junction sessions for unemployed people in the borough.
Telford Job Junctions offer weekly ‘drop in’ sessions for anyone requiring one to one advice on learning and work, including: help looking for work; help with job applications; local courses; interview skills; writing a CV; and English, maths and computing skills.
In the last 12 months, nearly 1,300 people have taken advantage of this service. One in five people who get support through the Telford Job Junctions gain employment, with nearly 50 per cent enrolling on a course to improve their skills.
The aim of the sessions is to raise the confidence and skills of unemployed people and to offer help and advice to them when applying for jobs, attending interviews and successfully securing a job.
The Council will now increase the number of weekly Telford Job Junctions, adding new locations across the borough and extra sessions.
There will be new sessions at Madeley, Randlay, Overdale, Hadley & Leegomery and St. Georges, with an extra session in Dawley and Malinslee beginning Monday 24 February.
Councillor Shaun Davies, cabinet member for Employment and Skills, said: “This increase will help more people in need of this service to access it. Telford Job Junctions provide invaluable help and advice for those seeking employment in the borough, as well as additional skills needed to find a job.
“It is essential that we put these initiatives in place so unemployed residents can get the help they need to successfully find work. Working in partnership with other organisations means we can offer a better level of advice and guidance to ensure residents get the specific support they need.
“We are particularly concerned about high levels of youth unemployment in the borough and have committed to tackle this through a number of initiatives. We’re keen that anyone aged 16–24 uses the Telford Job Junction service.
“This increase is the first of a number of initiatives we will be rolling out over the next few months to help to tackle youth unemployment in Telford and Wrekin.”
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