Recruitment: Vacancies and Young People
The question
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps his Department is taking to help employers tackle recruitment shortages and to hire and upskill young people.
Answered by Dame Diana Johnson
The Government is taking significant steps to help employers tackle recruitment shortages while supporting young people to enter, remain in and progress in work.
With over one million young people not in education, employment or training, we are investing an additional £2.5 billion over the next three years through the Youth Guarantee and the Growth and Skills Levy. This will support almost one million young people and create up to 500,000 opportunities to earn and learn, in partnership with employers. Measures include a £3,000 Youth Jobs Grant, a £2,000 apprenticeship hiring payment for employers, and fully funded six-month job opportunities for long-term unemployed 18–24-year-olds, an expanded network of Youth Hubs, earlier and more intensive support through a new Youth Guarantee Gateway in Jobcentres, and 300,000 additional work experience and training opportunities.
We also recognise the challenge of youth participation highlighted in Alan Milburn’s interim report and will use its findings to inform further reforms ahead of final recommendations in the Autumn.
Verbatim has judged this answer against the question that was actually asked — answered, partly answered, or evaded. Sign in to see the verdict →