4 August 2009

Multi-Million Pound Jobs Boost in Cheshire and Warrington

A share of a £1 billion government investment in new jobs for young adults has been secured by a partnership of Cheshire West and Chester, Cheshire East and Warrington councils.

The Future Jobs Fund aims to create new and additional jobs that would not exist without this initiative throughout Cheshire and Warrington.

Jobs will be aimed at young people aged between 18 and 24 who have been out of work for 12 months. There will also be opportunities for people above this age from areas where unemployment is significantly higher than the average. The national initiative from the Department for Work and Pensions is part of the Government’s promise to support young people during the current economic crisis. 

Cheshire West and Chester Council will be the accountable body and lead for the project in this area. Councillor Herbert Manley, Prosperity Executive Member for Cheshire West and Chester Council said:  “I am delighted with the announcement. New jobs starting this autumn will be for a minimum of six months, paying at least the national minimum wage and will provide an opportunity to gain new skills, valuable work experience and future job references, whilst also helping to bring benefits to the local community. The successful bid has been the result of strong local partnerships.”

Organisations taking part include Cheshire West and Chester Council, Warrington Borough Council, Cheshire East Council, Cheshire and Warrington Economic Alliance, Jobcentre Plus, the Learning and Skills Council and a number of our voluntary and community organisations. 

Councillor Jamie Macrae, Portfolio holder for Prosperity at Cheshire East Council said: “Reducing unemployment and improving skills are top priorities for Cheshire East and this scheme will target those most affected by the current recession. The success of this bid is great news and gives us the opportunity to create jobs for local unemployed young people. Vitally, all the jobs available will be designed to provide additional skilled benefit to our local communities”.

Three hundred and fifty jobs are expected to be created during the first six months of the project across Cheshire and Warrington. The opportunities are wide ranging, including community safety wardens, fire safety workers, furniture restoration assistants, office assistants, decorators, drivers, care workers, learning support assistants - even trainee boatsmiths!

Ian Marks, leader of Warrington Borough Council said: “This level of investment will make a huge difference to securing a future in work for young people throughout the region. It is vital during these difficult economic times that help with jobs, training and experience reaches young people in our hard hit communities.

This success demonstrates clearly the importance of effective sub-regional partnership working in Cheshire and Warrington to continue to attract government funding to this part of the North West. The fund will be providing a welcome boost to the local economy”.

Cheshire and Warrington’s application was one of only 9 successful bids in the whole of the Northwest region, and feedback received was that the application scored so highly because whilst clearly representing the distinct interests of the 3 large unitary councils involved, the strong partnership collaboration also shone through.

Andrew Heydeman, Employment and Skills Manager at the Cheshire and Warrington Economic Alliance, stated: “We are delighted to have helped stimulate and influence the effective collaboration of key partners, which successfully won this government funding, against strong competition from many other organisations.”

Referrals to the scheme will be through Jobcentre Plus - so young adults interested in learning more about the programme should ensure that their local Jobcentre advisor knows their job aspirations.

For further information contact:
Tina Johnston, External Relations Manager
Cheshire & Warrington Economic Alliance
Tel: 01606 734187; Email: Tina.Johnston@cwea.org.uk

Notes to Editors:

Cheshire & Warrington Economic Alliance (CWEA)
Cheshire & Warrington Economic Alliance is funded predominantly by the Northwest Regional Development Agency (NWDA). CWEA brings together leaders and influencers from both the public and private sector to work in partnership on a wide range of economic development issues in the sub region to ensure a dynamic, high quality environment for both business and residents. Visit www.cwea.org.uk.