New jobs for young people

Monday November 16, 2009

There is fantastic news for unemployed young people in the borough, following the announcement that 240 new jobs are to be created.

With youth unemployment now at a record high at just under a million people, the council has teamed up with community groups and other west London local authorities to win Government funding for the new jobs.

The new positions are primarily aimed at 18 to 24 year-olds who have been out of work for a year or longer. Jobs will be available through local job centres and usual channels from early 2010.

Of the 240 positions, 80 will be created in the community and voluntary sector. This follows a joint application for over £500,000 of Government funding from a consortium of voluntary sector groups and the council. 60 new jobs will be based in horticulture and manual trades while the remainder will be created within the council and local sports organisations.

Cllr Stephen Greenhalgh, Leader of the Council, said: “This really is excellent news. It is not easy for young people to find employment in the current economic climate and as your ‘Borough of Opportunity’ we are more than happy to do everything we can to help them along the way. These new jobs will really help 240 young borough residents to make the best of their lives.”

Marion Schumann, Director of H&F Volunteers Centre, said: "We in the voluntary and community sector are pleased to have worked in partnership with the council to develop this bid, and this goes to show how, we, H&F Council, Job Centre Plus and other partners can work well in partnership for the good of local residents. We hope to provide as many jobs as possible for young people in Hammersmith & Fulham via our partnerships, thereby reducing unemployment."