New action taken to stem rise in number of Peterborough young people left out of workplace
Concerns have been voiced at a rise in the number of young people struggling to get into work in Peterborough.
New figures shows the number of young people aged 18 to 24 claiming Universal Credit in the Peterborough local authority area rose by nine per cent last month compared to the same time a year earlier.
It means the number of young people in Peterborough claiming the jobless-related benefit now stands at 1,460 people.
However, for the entire working age population 18 to 64, the number of people claiming Universal Credit dropped by one per cent last month compared to a year earlier to 7,645 people.
Lynne Clarke, Partnerships for Peterborough Jobcentre, said: “We know that when young jobseekers receive personalised support, they build the confidence to develop their skills, take their first steps into work, and start progressing in
their careers.
"That’s why Work Coaches are working hard to ensure young people know about the wide range of opportunities and support available to them.
Ms Clarke added: “Here in Peterborough, we are working with a construction company who are mentoring our youth customers.
"Our Work experience Consultants are bringing onboard local and national employers.
"We are working with a large employer currently already in the city who is expanding and looking forward to working with them.
She said: “We are working together Youth Hub to support youngsters into work with a Jobs fair on July 7 and have a commitment from several employers to attend offering local vacancies.”
Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, Pat McFadden, said: "We are pushing ahead with the biggest youth employment reforms in a generation to create almost a million opportunities for young people, boosting skills through our Youth Guarantee
backed by a £2.5 billion investment and supporting 300,000 disabled people through our Connect to Work programme to futureproof our workforce to help more people into work.”
Four months ago it was revealed that more than 70 young people were being helped into the workplace through the newly opened Peterborough Youth Employment Hub at the Weston Homes Stadium in London Road..
The hub was set up to provide a lifeline for out of work youngsters. The number of young people who are ‘Not in Education, Employment, or Training’ in Peterborough is s above the national average.