Almost 1,000 jobs created for Notts' unemployed

ALMOST 1,000 jobs will be made available for unemployed youngsters across Notts in the next 18 months.

The jobs will be part-time six-month placements aimed at people aged 18 to 24, to offer skills and experience which will take them back into the workplace.

The Government is paying about £6.24m to create 960 jobs in local councils, charities, private and voluntary sector organisations.

These will include environmental work, gardening and horticulture assistants, teaching assistants and trainee sound engineers.

Long-term jobless people aged over 25 in areas of high unemployment, such as Killisick and Hucknall East, can also apply for the jobs.

The move follows news that Nottingham City Council is creating 1,000 jobs this year as part of the same Government programme, known as the Future Jobs Fund.

Don Hayes, chief executive of Enable, the employment and skills organisation which submitted the bid, said: "We're absolutely convinced it will help young people in terms of giving them a recent work history to enhance their CVs. It will improve their confidence, give them work skills, many will be able to work towards a nationally recognised qualification and it will make them more employable.

"Many organisations and charities will employ older people with more experience but we want to see an investment in young people in our sector. They can train them up and some might be able to offer employment at the end of it."

Enable submitted the bid on behalf of Notts Partnership which includes district and borough councils, Notts County Council, Jobcentre Plus and other key groups, including the fire service and police. Employers will include Ashfield Community Radio and Media Training, Framework Housing Association, Survivors Helping Each Other, Rumbles Catering Project, Mansfield YMCA and Recycling Ollerton and Boughton.

To qualify for the jobs, which will be paid at minimum wage, youngsters must have been unemployed for six months or more and be referred by the Jobcentre.

The jobs are aimed at county residents and will be located across Notts.