I met with 15 local business leaders in Westminster to discuss how to get young people into apprenticeships, skills and employment in the town.
Youth unemployment is above average in the constituency yet the business leaders told me they were struggling to recruit young people.
I am keen to bridge the gap between employers and opportunities to make it easier to link up the jobs and training available with young people.
Speaking recently in the House of commons, I said there are some notable and fantastic businesses in my constituency, including Argus Fire and Pegasus, which do a brilliant job in recruiting young adults and providing career opportunities. What more can the department do to bridge the gap between employers and young adults to find employment?
In reply the Social Mobility, Youth and Progression Minister Mims Davies said: “The Dudley youth hub is a classic example of the department’s working in partnership locally, providing a single location for employers to engage with the under-25s from Stourbridge and the wider area.
“Claimants can attend recruitment events and take advantage of a range of on-site services, and I know that they greatly welcome the opportunity to work with Argus Fire and Pegasus.”
I believe there is a discrepancy between the youth unemployment figures and what our brilliant business leaders are telling me about the number of vacancies they have.
So many of them are keen to train and employ young people in good long-term careers in exciting sectors but we need to link them up. I thank them for coming and giving me their valuable thoughts.
As the MP I have a role to play in this as a conduit with JobCentre Plus, the DWP and employers. All are committed to getting our young people into work and this meeting was fantastic in giving everyone a much clearer picture of what needs to happen.
Job, jobs, jobs remain my priority for Stourbridge. We have many levers to pull and great businesses desperate to recruit. Let’s get to work and tap into the potential we know we have.
