Grayling: thousands of new opportunities for jobseekers through sector-based work academies
Strategy to combat youth unemployment, with the formal launch of sector-based work academies across England.
The Government is to launch the next part of its strategy to combat youth unemployment, with the formal launch of sector-based work academies across England. The new academies will offer a combination of training, work experience and a guaranteed job interview to up to 50,000 people over the next two years, with many going to young people.
Together with the Work Programme and the Government’s Work Experience scheme it will mean support for up to 150,000 young people over the next few months and 250,000 people over the next two years.
Sector-based work academies will operate in industries based on local labour market demand, including construction, contact centres, hospitality, logistics, and retail. In the wider economy there are currently over 90,000 vacancies in retail, over 44,000 in hospitality and 11,000 vacancies in construction.
Employment Minister Chris Grayling said:
Sector-based work academies are the next key part of our strategy to tackle youth unemployment. With training, work experience and a guaranteed interview, they will put people at the front of the queue for vacancies that employers are looking to fill.
Judith Nelson, UK Personnel Director for Tesco, said:
We are always on the lookout for new talented individuals to join our teams across the UK. Sector-based work academies are a great way to find these new people from within the communities we serve and provide them with the skills and experience needed to succeed.
Angela Williams, British Gas HR Director, said:
The Sector-based work academy scheme is a great initiative. It’s helped us find good people we can take on and train, giving them the skills to insulate our customers’ homes and reduce their energy bills.
Jacquie McDonnell Business Services Assistant Managing Director, said:
The Learning Shop at Bluewater is an example how sector-based work academies can be a success. By working in joint partnership with North West Kent College and Jobcentre Plus we have delivered training, work experience and guaranteed job interviews, resulting in successful job outcomes at John Lewis, Wahaca and Jamie’s Italian.
Local employers around the country are being asked to support sector-based work academies by offering work experience placements and/or guaranteed job interviews to participants.
Employers are being invited to get in touch with their local Jobcentre Plus Employer Engagement Manager if they have a number of vacancies they need to fill or if they wish to get involved in a sector-based work academy by offering to provide work experience placements.
Sector-based work academies are part of the Government’s get Britain working measures which include Work Experience opportunities for young people, volunteering and training opportunities, all of which are available through Jobcentre Plus offices. Additional support also includes access to 250,000 more apprenticeships.
| Area | Construction | Wholesale & Retail | Hotels & Restaurants | Transport, Storage & Communications |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Great Britain | 10,769 | 28,740 | 16,726 | 10,261 |
| East | 1,068 | 2,746 | 1,462 | 1,131 |
| East Midlands | 759 | 2,068 | 1,195 | 726 |
| London | 1,043 | 3,129 | 1,084 | 1,344 |
| North East | 405 | 1,351 | 813 | 470 |
| North West | 1,186 | 3,615 | 2,335 | 1,184 |
| South East | 1,404 | 3,241 | 2,184 | 1,648 |
| South West | 1,160 | 2,911 | 2,143 | 948 |
| West Midlands | 1,304 | 3,364 | 1,492 | 955 |
| Yorkshire and The Humber | 979 | 2,179 | 1,426 | 741 |
Average number of new vacancies notified to Jobcentre Plus per month over the last year. There will be more vacancies in the wider economy in each sector.