Preseli MP Stephen Crabb has brought together local businesses keen to learn more about the Kickstart youth employment scheme.
Jointly hosting an online forum with local Job Centre Plus staff, Stephen brought together businesses from the manufacturing, tourism, hospitality and agri-food sector to discuss how the scheme could benefit their business, while also supporting local young people.
Also advertised on social media, the online forum also included Pembrokeshire College and Pembrokeshire County Council as ‘Gateways’; organisations working with smaller businesses to help process Kickstart applications.
The Kickstart Scheme is a £2bn employment scheme, targeted at 16 to 24-year olds at risk of long term unemployment. It offers 6 month work placements at businesses who sign up, with the UK Government covering the costs.
Speaking following the online forum, Stephen Crabb said: “Young people could potentially be hit hardest by the economic difficulties that the pandemic has caused. However, the Kickstart Scheme offers a real opportunity to local young people to get into work, build their skills and confidence.
“I was pleased to help bring together so many Pembrokeshire businesses from all sectors to learn more about this scheme and how it can not only help their business, but also our young people.
“My thanks to the business who took part in the discussion, and especially to the hard-work local Job Centre Plus staff for their expertise on the call and for their dedicated work over the past few months.”