Vaughan Gething MS, Minister for Economy
As part of our ongoing ambition for the Young Person’s Guarantee in Wales, we have designed a new flexible programme that will focus on helping young people aged 16-18 who are not in education employment or training (NEET). The innovative Jobs Growth Wales+ programme can create life changing opportunities that will help address the impact felt by young people after Covid. The programme is designed to provide opportunities to create resilient individuals who have the skills, enthusiasm, drive and creativity to fulfil their potential irrespective of ability, background, gender, or ethnicity. We aim to give young people the skills and confidence to fulfil their potential in a fast-changing world.
The existing legacy Jobs Growth Wales and Traineeships programmes have proved hugely successful at helping young people gain vital on-the-job skills and experience to help them take their first steps into the world of work. We are very grateful to everyone who has played an important role in delivering these programmes.
We have taken the best elements of each of these programmes and created an exciting new offer. The programme will support young people by offering impartial and in depth careers advice and guidance following a robust assessment of their individual needs. Young people will have access to mentoring, advice, training and education so that they are empowered to make informed choices to find and secure training, fair work or start a business. This includes tailored job opportunities which will be subsidised at 50% of national minimum wage.
I would like to inform Members that the procurement process for Jobs Growth Wales+ has now been completed and award letters have been issued to the successful contractors.
As this new programme is a key element of our Young Person’s Guarantee it is something I know members will take a keen interest in. I will continue to keep you all informed as the programme progresses.