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Brian Wilson calls for "national crusade" to get young employed into work
11/02/1998
Scottish Industry Minister, Brian Wilson MP, today called on all Scotland's employers to join a "national crusade" to get the young unemployed back into work, through the New Deal.
Speaking at the launch of a new national TV advertising campaign aimed at recruiting more Scottish employers into the New Deal programme Mr Wilson said:
"This is a real opportunity for employers throughout Scotland - large, medium and small - to show their commitment to defeating youth unemployment.
"By offering New Deal clients the opportunity to work, companies will not only be investing in their own future labour force but the future of unemployed individuals and the well-being of their community.
"This is only the start of a concentrated marketing campaign to promote the New Deal in Scotland. We will champion the cause of young unemployed people - the vast majority of whom wanted to find work - and show them that we mean business."
BACKGROUND
1. The New Deal for young, long-term unemployed people is the first major element of the Government's Welfare to Work programme. It will be funded from the windfall levy on the profits of the privatised utilities.
2. The New Deal for young people will help all those aged 18-24 who have been claiming Jobseeker's Allowance (JSA) for six months or more, although some priority groups can gain earlier access.
3. During the Gateway period, help will be made available to many young people to find jobs and to move off welfare into work.
4. Those young people who remain unemployed will have the opportunity to pursue a place in one of the options. The four New Deal options are:
- a job whether full-time or part-time with an employer, including within the first six months at least one day per week in education and training towards accredited qualifications. Employers will be offered £60 per week for full-time and £40 per week for part-time jobs for up to 26 weeks to contribute to the costs of recruiting and employing a young person; self-employment opportunities will also be available under this option;
- a job for six months with the Environment Taskforce, which will include day release education and training toward accredited qualifications;
- a job for six months with a voluntary sector employer which will also include education and training towards accredited qualifications;
- full-time education or training on an approved course and leading to a qualification.
5. The New Deal for 18 to 24 year olds began in selected Pathfinder Areas of Britain in January 1998, and will be introduced nationally in April 1998. Tayside is Scotland's Pathfinder Area.
6. The design document for the New Deal for 18-24 year olds was published on October 9. Copies of the document are available on request.
News Release: 0272/98
February 11, 1998