Ref: PR 2331
Date: 15/09/2009

Wakefield Council and partners are celebrating their success in bringing extra temporary jobs to the district from October 2009 to April 2010.

They have been successful in bidding for a share of the Government’s Future Jobs Fund of £1bn to create jobs which benefit local communities and help people get a foothold on the employment ladder.

Exact numbers are set to be confirmed soon and most of the new jobs will be specifically targeted at the 18-24 age group, which make up a large proportion of local people looking for work.

Other jobs created through the scheme will be offered to unemployed people in unemployment ‘hot spot’ areas of Castleford Ferry Fryston, Whitwood, Knottingley, central Wakefield and Wakefield East.

The district has the highest proportion of young unemployed people in West Yorkshire at 34% - with 3,150 young people currently out of work.

Cllr Peter Box, Leader of Wakefield Council, said: “We are proud to be part of the Future Jobs Fund and look forward to it making a difference in both communities and to individuals during these tough times.

“We will be working in partnership other local employers to provide opportunities to help local people get jobs and develop skills which will help them to stay in work in the future.

“If the initial funding is extended until March 2011, we will be able to help around 700 local people get temporary jobs helping them to improve their job prospects for when the economy recovers.”

The type of jobs available will include jobs in construction, environmental services, sports, leisure and culture, as well as adult social care and childcare support and social enterprises.

The Council’s partners in the scheme include the Mid Yorkshire NHS Hospitals Trust, Wakefield and District Housing, Chrysalis Youth Project, Kinsley and Fitzwilliam Community Resource Centre and The ABLE Partnership in Wakefield. In total around 40 employers make up the employer partnership which are mostly in the voluntary and public sector.

Pontefract and Castleford MP Yvette Cooper added: “During the 1980s and 90s, we saw the devastating effect of what long term youth unemployment did to families and communities around here.

“That’s why it is so important the Council is working with employers from local hospitals to housing associations and community groups. If everyone does their bit, we can give far more young people a better start in their working lives.” 

Ends