An independent report has found that more and more employers are discovering the benefits of the Welsh Government’s Young Recruits Programme (YRP).
In this difficult economic climate the programme is providing an essential route into sustained employment. Eighty six percent of the employers surveyed as part of the evaluation say they expect to employ their Young Recruit beyond their Apprenticeship.
The research, commissioned by the Welsh Government and carried out by BMG research, found that prior to taking part in the programme, six out of 10 employers (58 percent) had never had an Apprentice and a further 14 per cent had not had an Apprentice in the last 18 months.
Nine out of ten of the employers surveyed said they were more favourable to taking on a young person as a result of the programme.The YRP provides a wage subsidy for 12 months to employers offering high quality apprenticeships to young people aged 16-24.
The evaluation of the programme, which is published today, found that it had succeeded in its aim of creating 2,000 good quality apprenticeship places for young people.
The Deputy Minister for Skills and Technology, Ken Skates, will be at the Royal Welsh Show today to see how Cnwd, a gourmet food business in Carmarthenshire, has benefited from the programme.
Cnwd originally took on a number of staff for six months via the Welsh Government’s EU-backed Jobs Growth Wales scheme. Thanks to the YRP wage subsidy, the company has now been able to progress staff members onto Foundation Apprenticeships in Food and Drink.
The Deputy Minister visited Cnwd’s stand in the Food Hall today to meet with Jasmin Giles, Food Production Manager on the Young Recruits Programme.
