New jobs for Clackmannanshire’s young

Feb 5 2010 by Gregor White, Stirling Observer Friday

CLACKMANNANSHIRE Council has taken on the first four of what will eventually be almost 80 new employees paid for by national government.

Christopher Mather is one of two new starts employed as sports development assistants with the council's Education Service while a further two young men are now working at Forthbank Recycling Centre.

They are the first of 77 workers being paid with funding from the UK government’s Future Jobs Fund following a successful bid last year by the Clackmannanshire Alliance

This initiative specifically targets 18-24 year olds who have been unemployed for more than six months and aims to create 150,000 new jobs across Britain.

Mr Mather said: “I’ve had the chance to try new things such as coaching football, helping out with kids with additional support needs and helping to set up and monitor at a cross-country event.

“I’ve had the chance to meet new people and become part of a team at Sports Development.

“After being out of work for a while, the Future Jobs Fund has given me a reason to get up in the morning and get a taste of working life.”

Employers

The Wee County programme will see jobs created across the voluntary, public and private sector in admin, construction, environmental works, leisure, art and social type work.

Around 20 of the jobs will be with Clackmannanshire Council while a further 11 local employers are also part of the programme.

Potential candidates will be identified through Job Centres who will recommend them to Clackmannanshire Works, the Alliance’s employment service, for inclusion.

Once in work candidates will be paid the minimum wage for six months with the Alliance also allocating funding for on-the-job training.

Council leader and Clackmannanshire Alliance chair, Janet Cadenhead, said: “This funding has arrived at a crucial time and is giving unemployed local young people the chance to learn key skills and is giving them employment opportunities.”