Shrewsbury College is launching traineeships in Hospitality and Construction alongside a range of local employers, to give young people a helping hand toward employment or further education.

Government figures released this month, showed that 954,000 people aged 16-24 in the UK were not in education, employment or training (NEET) in the third quarter of 2014.

Out of this number, 47% were unemployed and the rest were not seeking work and/or not available to start work.

In England, the West Midlands is among the regions with the highest proportion of 16-24 year olds who are NEET, alongside the North East and Yorkshire & Humber.

To help tackle this, Shrewsbury College has joined forces with a number of local employers to offer 16 week traineeship programmes in Hospitality and Construction, for the first time,

The traineeships are available for 16 to 18-year-olds and those aged 19 to 24 who have not achieved a Level 2 qualification.

Laura Jeffrey, team leader for Employability at Shrewsbury College, said: “As well as providing these young people with a pre-organised work placement giving them fantastic experience in a work setting to gain employability skills, those taking part will get help improving their English and Maths, get a helping hand if they need to build their confidence levels and the programmes provide a stepping stone towards employment, an Apprenticeship or further education within the College.

“Everyone who completes a traineeship with us will get a Level 1 qualification in Employability Skills which includes interview skills, CV writing, an English and Maths qualification (if they haven’t already achieved one), practical experience and work-based skills and a planned, organised and structured exit interview as well as training in how to complete a high quality, sector-specific application form.”

Young people who are unemployed and claiming Job Seeker’s Allowance may be allowed to continue claiming whilst completing a traineeship.

Anyone who is interested in finding out more about the traineeships on offer can attend an information session at The Enterprise Centre at Shrewsbury College on March 10 at 11am or 2pm.

Initially the College is offering a 16 week traineeship programmes starting on March 16, but the programme will be extended into most subject areas in September 2015. People who come along to the Advice Event on March 19 from 5pm to 7pm to find out about these and other courses at Shrewsbury College, may still be able to start one.

For more information, call 01743 342333 or visit www.shrewsbury.ac.uk