Scheme targets jobless young

 Employers in the Welshpool area have a new opportunity to take on young staff free of charge in a bid to cut youth unemployment.

Former Welshpool man Mark Gibson is co-ordinating a scheme that will encourage out-of-work 16-24 year-olds to take up six months of work placement at no cost to the employer.

Working in conjunction with the Department of Work and Pensions, Imagematch interviews and advises applicants referred to them by Job Centre Plus and then finds suitable employment, providing funding for 25 hours work per week, for a period of six months.

Mr. Gibson said: “We recognise a huge gap and potential in the Welshpool area and, as a ‘not-for-profit’ organisation, decided to put something back into the community.

“All that people seeking work need is advice, guidance and to be given a chance to prove themselves so we hope Welshpool companies will step forward to get involved.”

Imagematch has recently placed 25 people with the Cross Border Tourism Development Group, which is working on a project with the Cambrian Heritage Railway Society Ltd based in Oswestry.

Employers can take on young workers with no long-term commitment to provide advice and guidance in order to build their confidence and potential.

Interested companies should contact Mark at Imagewatch on admin@imagematch.co.uk.