Councillors approve plan to help young people off benefits
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YOUNG unemployed people in the North are to be helped by an initiative which has been agreed by the Highland Council.
Councillors approved a six-point plan that lays out how they will help young people off benefits and into work.
Speaking after today’s planning, environment and development committee meeting, chairman Ian Ross said: “The transition from school to the working world can be daunting so we want to make sure young people have the necessary skills and support to take this first critical step. Our six-point action plan will allow a focused approach that will bring together all our services and target resources effectively.”
As part of the initiative, the council, supported through the European Social Fund, has launched the employ grants scheme to encourage and support businesses in the creation of additional posts for unemployed people including those in receipt of benefits, people returning to the labour market, disabled people and young people.
Targeted at businesses employing fewer than 250 people, a grant of £150 a week is available as a wage subsidy for six months, or up to a year, towards recruiting aged 16 to 19-year-olds to create additional and permanent posts.
Businesses in all sectors of industry located within the Highland Council area are eligible and may be private companies, co-operatives or social enterprises.
Mr Ross added: “We have already had a number of enquiries from businesses looking for support of this kind and it is hoped that up to 190 jobs can be created within the council area which otherwise would not have been available to young people.”
Further information is available from the council’s employability team on 01463 702912 or at www.highland.gov.uk
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