Apprenticeships plea to help care leavers

Sunderland City Council wants businesses to ringfence apprenticeships for care leavers

Businesses are being urged to help care leavers get into permanent work.

Sunderland City Council wants firms to ringfence apprenticeships for care leavers to help boost their chance of employment.

Figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS), revealed that just 40% of care experienced people aged 19 to 21 on Wearside were in education or employment last year - lower than the 54% average across England.

Southwick Labour councillor Michael Butler said many care leavers were "real innovative thinkers" who would be an asset to businesses.

"A lot of people who experience care, although they have challenges, have some wonderful gifts," he said.

Together for Children, which delivers children's services for the council, said four people aged between 17 and 22 had taken up apprenticeship roles within the organisation.

New apprentice Keilee said: "Sometimes young people like me can feel things are a little more difficult to navigate, but it's been perfect, so I'd definitely recommend the apprenticeship route."