More than 11,000 young people have been supported to find jobs during the first year of the Welsh Government’s youth employment programme, Economy Minister, Vaughan Gething has confirmed.
Its Young Person’s Guarantee (YPG) provides under 25s in Wales with the offer of support to gain a place in education or training, find a job or become self-employed. Ministers have committed £1.4bn a year to support young people across Wales under the YPG’s wider range of programmes.
Long term, the YPG is designed to ensure 90% of 16-24-year-olds are in education, employment, or training (EET) by 2050 – which is one of the Welsh Government’s National Milestones for improving the well-being of the people of Wales.
The Welsh Government, which has published its first progress report on the project, said it is also increasing the support package available for young people taking part in initiatives within the Jobs Growth Wales + programme. The additional support includes: doubling the rate of the training allowance to £60; a new free meal allowance; temporarily allowing 100% of travel costs to be claimed (if undertaking training) and extending the eligible age range to 19 years old, for enrolling onto the programme.
Mr Gething said: “The Welsh Government is fully committed to investing in the lives of young people who need a helping hand to achieve their full potential. Whatever the uncertainties we face, we can be sure of one thing - failing to step up to support young people today, guarantees economic failure tomorrow.
“We know young people are struggling with the cost-of-living crisis. So, I’m pleased to confirm we have stepped up and increased the support we’re providing them. This will help ensure they have the backing they need to access and stay on these vital programmes, which are so important to their future employment prospects and long-term success.”
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