First Minister welcomes 220 jobs for long-term unemployed

First Minister Rhodri Morgan has welcomed news that £1.4m from the Future Jobs Fund will help create 220 jobs across Wales.

The ‘Future Jobs Fund’ supports the creation of jobs for long-term unemployed young people and others who face significant disadvantage in the labour market. The fund, run by the Department for Work and Pensions, aims to create 150,000 temporary jobs until 2011, primarily for 18-24 year olds who have been out of work for around 12 months. The fund invites organisations to submit bids for funding, and bids should aim to create at least 30 jobs over a six-month period.

The new jobs for Wales in this latest round of funding are as follows:

• Powys Partnership Future Jobs Fund – up to 63 new jobs of which 36 are to be in the green sector, five will be social enterprises and three will be apprenticeships. The roles include classroom assistant; estate worker; animal welfare assistant; and landscape operative.
• The Vale of Glamorgan Council – up to 96 new jobs of which 18 are to be green jobs, six are to be social enterprises. The roles include regeneration assistant; community development assistant; environmental project worker; youth support worker.
• Pembrokeshire County Council – up to 50 new jobs – all apprenticeships. The jobs will be within housing; learning / support work; village wardens.
• Action for Children - up to 11 new jobs in Business Support, Administration, Youth Work and Early Years support.

First Minister Rhodri Morgan said:

“So far Future Jobs Fund projects will attract around £26 million and will create around 4200 jobs in Wales. Today’s announcement once again is very encouraging for our economy and labour market.

“There can be little doubt that we still face challenging economic times but we’re working hard through pioneering schemes like ProAct, ReAct and the Future Jobs Fund to keep young people engaged in the labour market ready for when the upturn inevitably comes.”

Education Minister Jane Hutt said:

“We must continue to create sustainable employment for young people in Wales to ensure they have a strong future. It’s crucial to provide not only jobs, but high quality training so that workers are not only secure in their jobs, but have the necessary knowledge and abilities to succeed.”

Deputy Minister for Skills John Griffiths said:

“This is excellent news for young people in Wales, and I’m pleased that many of these new posts will support apprentices. This significant funding delivered through the Future Jobs Fund, as part of our Young Person’s Guarantee, will give people the opportunity to work while providing them with the skills to protect their futures.”