Employment prospects for young people in Moray took a major step forward with the announcement that the Youth Employment Moray project will receive £180,000 from the Scottish Government and the European Social Fund.
Youth Employment Moray seeks to place young people in the 16 to 24 age group who have been unemployed for less than six months into employment with local businesses for a period of six months.
For their part in providing jobs employers will qualify for a grant of up to half the salary costs for the young person.
Ongoing support, recruitment and advice for the project is providing by Business Gateway Moray, who will provide assistance to participating businesses and help them to grow their business.
The ambition of the project is that jobs taken up will last beyond the initial six months guarantee. The scheme is one of several projects being funded throughout Scotland as part of the Youth Employment Scotland scheme.
Gary Henderson, 18 and from Forres, is the first person to be employed under the scheme. Gary has joined ‘Fast Fix’ in Elgin where owner Kenny Morgan says that providing training for his new employee under the scheme was also an incentive for employers, adding that any financial help is welcome.
Councillor John Cowe, chairman of Moray Council’s economic development and infrastructure services committee, said: “We are delighted to have secured funding to introduce this scheme in Moray. It will provide fantastic training opportunities for young people and at the same time help employers with their wage bill.”
Businesses which would like to register their interest should contact Business Gateway while young people aged 16 to 24 should contact Alan Weaver or on 01343 563866.