Small companies local to the Newton Aycliffe area are being given the chance to boost their businesses while at the same time helping out a young person’s job prospects.
Daniel Cole, 17, from Newton Aycliffe, is one of the lucky teenagers to take up an apprenticeship with Finley Structures, a fabrication company in the town.
Great Aycliffe and Middridge Area Action Partnership have come together with Durham County Council’s employability team to offer local firms the chance to offer apprenticeships for young people living in the GAMP area.
The scheme will offer a wage subsidy of £2,500 and supervision costs of up to £350 to smaller companies, preferably with less than 50 employees, to create opportunities that focus on giving a boost to unemployed 16 to 24-year-olds.
GAMP has allocated £15,000 of its area budget to the project with a further £16,350 match funding coming from Durham County Council’s employability team.
Daniel joined John Finley, managing director of Finley Structures, at an official launch this week at the factory on Aycliffe Business Park, which was also attended by Cllr Neil Foster, Cabinet member for regeneration and economic development, representatives of GAMP and the employability team.
Cllr Foster said: “This is a fantastic scheme to boost, not only the job prospects of young people, but the businesses themselves. With the financial support offered companies can be more confident about offering these hard working, dedicated young workers a foothold on the employment ladder.”
Cllr Brian Stephens, Cabinet member for neighbourhoods and partnerships, said: “One of GAMP’s key priorities is to support opportunities for employment, enterprise, education and training. This initiative brings together local employers, the Area Action Partnership and colleagues within the council’s employability team with the aim of increasing apprenticeships for the town’s job seekers.”
For more information on the project call: 01325 327 441 or email: [email protected].
■ Pictured is Daniel Cole with Cllr Brian Stephens, Cabinet member for neighbourhoods and partnerships, and Cllr Neil Forster, Cabinet member for regeneration and economic development.