MERSEYSIDE’S economy has been boosted after it was confirmed more than 700 apprenticeships for out-of- work young people will be created in the region over the next year.
A European Social Fund (ESF) grant of just over £2m will be used to target 14 to 24 year olds who are not in education, employment or training (NEETs), or those on Jobseekers Allowance.
The funding, which benefit 739 young people, will be administered by Liverpool city council, which will receive the majority of the cash (58%), to support 426 people.
The rest will be shared by Sefton (25%), and Knowsley (17%), supporting 313 people between them.
The aim is for more than half of the young people to be still in work six months after leaving the programme. Cllr Nick Small, Liverpool’s cabinet member for employment and skills said: “Creating good quality apprenticeships is a priority for the city council and also the city region.
“This scheme will provide fantastic opportunities for many hundreds of young people, giving them a foot on the employment ladder combined with high quality training.”
He added: “At a time when cuts in funding are being made across the board, it is really important that we support our young people so they are able to obtain employment.”
There will be an accompanying marketing campaign to encourage employers to take part.
This will be extended to Wirral and St Helens. Greater Merseyside Connexions Partnership will support the project by providing expertise in working with young people.
