Council to provide 100 jobs for young people struggling to find work

Barnsley Council is set to provide 100 new jobs for youngsters struggling to find work.

Youth employment is a priority for Barnsley Council’s post pandemic recovery, in a bid to ease the impact on businesses.

The proposal, agreed by Barnsley’s ruling cabinet on March 22, lays out the plan for a Barnsley Youth Employment Programme (BYEP) in partnership with Berneslai Homes.

The programme will aim to create more than 100, new, paid placement opportunities for up to 12 months as a starting point for a career for  youngsters aged 16 to 24.

This figure includes 40 placements already approved as part of the government’s Kickstart project which will be extended from six months to a year under the proposals, another 40 new year-long roles within the council, and other roles within Berneslai Homes.

The government’s Kickstart programme funds roles for up to six months, and  the council will match-fund this to extend the roles to a full year.

Many of those taking up the roles will also benefit from the extension of the public transport concessionary fares extension announced this week, which will allow anyone in South Yorkshire up to the age of 21 to travel by bus for a single fare of 80p. This will run for one year starting in June.

Coun Sir Steve Houghton CBE, leader of Barnsley Council, said: “The Barnsley Youth Employment Programme will give 100 young people an absolutely incredible opportunity to get their foot on the employment ladder.

“Not only will they have a year’s worth of steady income, they will have a year of real-world experience of working life, a year’s experience on their CV, and a year of support to grow into their roles. They’ll learn professional skills, life skills, interpersonal skills, and they’ll be well prepared to enter the wider world of work.

“If approved by Cabinet we’ll be able to offer this golden opportunity for a year instead of the government-funded six months. This is a win-win, as it gives the young people double the experience and opportunity, and after six months, once they’ve learned the skills required and settled into their roles, rather than leaving, they’ll have another six months to contribute what they’ve learned to help deliver excellent services to the people of Barnsley.

“What’s more, we’ll be working with them to progress into permanent work at the end of the programme, or even sooner if they’re ready.”

Alison Rusdale, executive director of corporate services at Berneslai Homes, said: “Berneslai Homes are delighted to be able to offer this fantastic employment programme to young people.

“We have already employed 11 young people across the company through the Kickstart programme with a further 19 placements planned this year.

“Working together with the council we can extend our help to give young people the best opportunities to find permanent employment.”