Better job prospects, more life satisfaction and help to access mental health support are just some of the benefits young learners have experienced since joining Jobs Growth Wales+ (JGW+).
Part of the Welsh Government’s Young Person’s Guarantee, the JGW+ programme delivers individualised training and development and employability support to 16 to 19-year-olds who are not in education, employment or training (NEET).
It focuses on:
- supporting young people who are NEET to gain skills, qualifications and experience to enable them to progress to employment, including apprenticeships or towards learning at a higher level
- supporting employers who take on a young person by providing a wage subsidy of up to 50 percent of the young person’s employment costs at the National Minimum Wage for the first six-months.
An independent evaluation, published last week, shows there is much to celebrate. 95% of surveyed participants who had completed the programme said their chances of finding work had increased, with 82% of the active participants surveyed agreeing their training allowance helped ease financial pressures.
What is also hugely encouraging is that in addition to this work-based support, 82% felt more satisfied with their life and 81% felt happier.
Overall, the latest data suggests 68% of those that take part achieve a positive outcome within four weeks of leaving the programme, either progressing into higher level learning, employment or into an apprenticeship.
A final evaluation is underway and will be published early in 2025.
For further information please select the following link: “I left with a voice”: young people celebrate success as employment programme offers them more than a job | GOV.WALES