Young people looked after by Calderdale Council and those leaving care could be given more apprenticeship and work experience opportunities if proposals are approved by Cabinet on Monday 15 June.
Under the proposals, the youngsters would secure placements with the Council in areas that they are keen to work in, giving them a stepping stone into employment. The Council would provide support and mentoring to them and the recruiting teams to meet everyone’s needs.
The aim is to give children in care better chances in life and to increase the number of young people in apprenticeships to help tackle youth unemployment. The initial target would be to start 10 successful apprenticeships by the end of October 2015. Work experience placements would be offered where needed to prepare young people for apprenticeships.
The Council already has a successful apprenticeship scheme, taking on 50 apprentices per year since 2013. However, in the recent Ofsted inspection of Children and Young People’s Services, it was found that this work could be built on to increase the number of opportunities taken up by young people in care and leaving care.
Calderdale Council’s Cabinet Member for Children and Young People’s Services, Cllr Megan Swift, said:
“Young people who are looked after and those leaving care can face barriers to securing jobs, but we’re working hard to break these down and make sure they have the same opportunities as other young people. The new proposals would give them valuable apprenticeships, experience and a real stepping stone into the world of work, helping to tackle youth unemployment in Calderdale.”
The Council’s Cabinet will discuss the proposals at its meeting on Monday 15 June at the Town Hall in Halifax from 6pm.