Welsh Government £75m three-year new youth jobs pledge

The scheme aims to help those who are ready for employment but cannot find work

The Welsh government has announced a £75m scheme to create 12,000 youth jobs over the next three years.

Starting in April next year, Jobs Growth Wales is aimed at unemployed people aged between 16 and 24.

They will work for a minimum of 25 hours a week and be paid at least the minimum wage, with the hope of landing permanent work after that.

First Minister Carwyn Jones described the scheme as a "flagship policy" to boost growth and jobs in Wales.

He said the programme is aimed to cater for those that are "job ready" but cannot find the first step in to employment.

Education and Skills Minister Leighton Andrews told AMs that a small pilot scheme would run this autumn before the wider scheme began next year.

He said: "The current financial climate has led to the emergence of a growing number of 16-24 year olds who have fallen outside work or education.

"Jobs Growth Wales will enable individuals to gain good quality work experience to progress into sustained employment or where appropriate an apprenticeship.

"It is envisaged that the majority of jobs will be generated within the private sector, although there will also be some available within the public and voluntary sectors.

'Green jobs'

"Businesses that take part in the scheme will need to demonstrate that the jobs we support are new ones."

Mr Andrews said the scheme would have specific streams targeting graduates, micro businesses and green jobs.

He added: "Often micro businesses are reluctant to take the plunge of employing for the first time or growing for fear of the risk and bureaucracy.

"So we have developed a strand to help this critical sector of our economy develop."