News and features

Tue, 8 Sep 2009

Local authorities 'should use apprenticeships to tackle unemployment'

New report recommends new apprenticeship schemes at local councils to boost employment.

New apprenticeships and 'work taster' schemes could help local councils to reduce unemployment levels in their areas, a new report has stated.

Councillor Stephen Houghton, leader of Barnsley Metropolitan Borough Council, led a review into the role of the UK's local authorities and partnerships in tackling "worklessness".

The report features a number of recommendations for boosting employment levels within the local community, with councillor Houghton claiming that local government bodies should provide 50,000 apprenticeship places by 2011.

In addition, he said that 75,000 'work taster' schemes should be set up to provide unemployed people with valuable job experience during the economic downturn.

"Worklessness is not a problem that can be solved in isolation - the causes and solutions vary from place to place and sector to sector," councillor Houghton commented.

"I want councils to make helping jobless people in their area a top priority as the downturn continues," he added.

Other recommendations of the council leader's report include the establishment of a new Challenge Fund, which would support the provision of more temporary jobs and boost local enterprise.

The report has been welcomed by employment minister Tony McNulty and local government minister John Healey, who confirmed that £3 million in additional funding would be made available to support some of its suggestions.

A recent article in the Telegraph declared that apprenticeships are "back in vogue" in the UK, with more government funding available and Sir Alan Sugar fronting a major new advertising campaign to promote on-the-job training schemes.

• Read more about how nurturing talent amongst your employees will give you real business benefits - helping you through the current economic climate.