Jobs: Bosses call for help to get young people into jobs

BRITAIN’S bosses want firms to be given £1,500 to take a young person off the growing dole queues.

The latest unemployment figures showed a rise in the number of unemployed 16 to 24-year-olds to 1.02 million, although that figure includes 286,000 full-time students looking for a job.

Bosses’ organisation the CBI called for action to help young people take their first steps in the world of work.

CBI director-general, John Cridland, said: “A generation risks being scarred by the devastating effects of long-term unemployment.

“We are calling for action for jobs now, with a clear plan to get the UK working, focusing on our young people.

“The chancellor should use his autumn statement to announce a Young Britain Credit, worth £1500, to encourage firms to take on an unemployed 16 to 24 year-old.

“We also need further steps to reform the benefits system to make work really pay and to foster better links between businesses and schools to boost the attractiveness of young people in the labour market.”

Overall unemployment rose to 2.62million, a move employment minister Chris Grayling said were a reflection on problems in the Eurozone and slower growth in the wider global economy.

Mr Grayling said: “These figures show just how much our economy is being affected by the crisis in the Eurozone. Our European partners must take urgent action to stabilise the position.

“Our challenge in the autumn statement will be to put in place additional measures to support growth and create employment opportunities, especially for young people.”

The government has launched a number of initiatives to help young people get back into the labour market. In total there will be around 150,000 work experience or sector-based work academy places over the next two years to help young people.

The intends to ‘expand and improve’ the apprenticeships programme, tailoring support where it is most needed to drive growth and give people the skills they need to get on.

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