Job training opportunities for West Midlands young people

Record fall in youth unemployment.

More than 41,000 young people across the West Midlands have taken part in employer-led placements or work experience through Jobcentre Plus since January 2011, new figures published today reveal.

As part of the Government’s long-term economic plan to build a stronger, more competitive economy, 263,080 young people across the UK have taken up opportunities through employer-led sector-based work academies, or work experience placements.

Employment Minister Esther McVey said: “Our young people are some of the best and most talented in the world – they are driven, entrepreneurial and innovative – and just last month we saw the biggest annual fall in the number of unemployed young people since records began.

“Young people tell me they need work experience to get a job, but they need a job to get work experience, which is why our advisers in Jobcentre Plus work closely with local businesses to provide tailored training opportunities for young jobseekers across the UK.

“Already more than 260,000 young people have taken up the support we offer, and I’d encourage every young person considering their future to think about what sort of work experience or training we can help with to lead to the career they want.”

Through DWP’s network of over 700 jobcentres, young people get tailored support depending on their local labour market. Work experience and sector-based work academy schemes launched in January 2011 – providing a huge boost to the chances available to young people to learn about the world of work.

Sector-based work academies offer people a package of pre-employment training, work experience placements and a guaranteed job interview in specific industries such as hospitality.

Support is also available for young people who want to become their own boss, and local employers are helped to fill the skills gap through job academies, apprenticeships as well as supporting young people with work experience.

The number of young people out of work has fallen by 141,000 to May 2014, compared to the same month in 2013, and the number claiming Jobseeker’s Allowance have fallen for the last 31 months.