New fund for Dorset's unemployed youth

Over 500 jobs will be created for young people across Dorset following the introduction of a new government fund.

The Future Jobs Fund granted the area £3.4m of its £1bn budget to create 525 new jobs for people aged between 18 and 24 who have been out of work for over six months.
Economic development manager from Dorset council, David Walsh, said: "The scheme is tremendously valuable. Young people will be able to make themselves more employable in future by having valuable work experience, and more importantly, a reference at the end of the placement. Some might even be offered permanent work."

Local businesses and organisations have created jobs for young people in gardening departments, football clubs, housing agencies, museums and the health service, among others.

The fund will provide up to £6,500 for each job that is created, based on a minimum of 25 hours per week at minimum wage. The money will support the salary costs and any material or supervision costs required to undertake the job.

Jobcentre Plus will be working with the target group of young people, identifying suitable employment opportunities offered by organisations through the fund.
Emma Stevens, 23, from Corfe Mullen, who has been struggling to find a job for the last year and a half, thinks the scheme is a good idea. "But they need to make sure that the people who really need the jobs get them and that they are in the right sector," she said.

Dorset council are hoping the scheme will have young unemployed people working by April.