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Plight of vulnerable groups raised as youth unemployment figures improve.

by Ian Shires on 21 October, 2014

Liberal Democrat Councillor Ian Shires raised the plight of the vulnerable and those with specific needs in the battle to improve the lot of young people in the jobs market at last night’s meeting of Walsall’s Health and Wellbeing Board.

Positive activitiesWelcoming the big improvement in getting young people into work in Walsall Ian said “It’s really good news for those young people in Walsall who have benefited from work done across the board by partners. However there is still a long way to go for those in specific groups whose life chances are limited because of disability.”

In particular Ian sited the plight of those on the autism spectrum many of whom are well qualified but are overlooked by employers because of behavioural difficulties.

In answer to a question by Ian about what help if any exists for those with special needs the Board was made aware of the Talent Match Programme which gives intensive 1-2-1 mentoring support to 18-24 year olds in community outreach hubs. Further information is going to be made available to enable those with special needs to seek advice.

Work with Walsall’s 16 to 18 year olds not in education, employment or training has seen numbers reduce from in eccess of 7% to 5.5% which is below the national average of 5.9%.

EU Social FundEuropean funding in the form of the EU Social Fund plays a big part in helping young people get into work.

The European Union will help bring in £150 million Social Fund money across the Black Country over the next five years.

   1 Comment

One Response

  1. sue booth says:

    Lets hope progress is made going forward

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