New Work Academies launched

The government will today launch a number of Work Academies offering training and a guaranteed job interview to up to 50,000 people ahead of new figures set to show another rise in youth unemployment.

Employment Minister Chris Grayling said that coupled with the Work Programme and the Work Experience scheme, the new Work Academies will support up to 150,000 young people over the next few months and 250,000 over the next two years.

Mr Grayling said:

“Sector-based work academies are the next key part of our strategy to tackle youth unemployment. With training, work experience and a guaranteed interview, they will put people at the front of the queue for vacancies that employers are looking to fill.”

Under the initiative, employers are being urged to offer work experience placements or guaranteed job interviews.

• The Centre for Economic and Social Inclusion's Director of Policy Tony Wilson was interviewed on Radio5 this morning about the academies and high levels of youth unemployment: http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/console/b015n25w (from 18:50mins)