Jobs Growth Wales hits 16,000 target 18 months early

The Welsh government says 83% of people move into a job, apprenticeship or training at the end of six months

A scheme to get young people into temporary work has hit its target of creating 16,000 job opportunities almost 18 months ahead of schedule.

Jobs Growth Wales, which gets people aged 16-24 into work for six months, has created 16,108 opportunities and filled 12,730 vacancies since April 2012, the Welsh government said.

The original target date to hit 16,000 was March 2016.

Deputy Skills Minister Julie James was "very pleased" to reach it sooner.

Jobs Growth Wales pays the person's salary with the hope they will be offered a job at the end of the six months.

Eight out of 10 of the opportunities created by the programme were taken by private sector employers.

Ms James said: "Jobs Growth Wales is playing an important role in helping our young people start a range of exciting careers."

In September, the Welsh Liberal Democrats criticised the scheme, claiming the majority of people would have found work without it.