MK Council has launched three new schemes worth almost £100,000 to support young people into training and jobs.
It was seen during the COVID-19 pandemic that young people were the group most adversely affected economically. MK Council anticipated this and made a commitment to supporting young people through its £3.1m Economic Recovery Plan.
The Council’s Economic Recovery Plan has been created in partnership with local businesses and has so far helped 3,300 residents and 900 businesses.
The schemes included in the new round of funding include:
- MK Melting Pot – enabling 40 young people from deprived communities enhance their employability and receive the opportunity to gain a meaningful qualification for use within either the hospitality or social care sector.
- MK College – to employ a dedicated person to support children with special educational needs and those currently in and leaving care to find work.
- Future Wolverton – a 12-week work-experience programme targeted at young people with autism or those with long-term mental health conditions. The programme includes day to day activities at the Old School which is now a café and community centre, arts, gardening, and site visits to workplaces.
Deputy Leader of MK Council, Cllr Robin Bradburn said: “Supporting young people is at the heart of our economic recovery plan for the city. We know young people have suffered a lot and we want to do everything we can to give them the access they need to find good quality employment and equip them with skills for life. We’ve got a really positive relationship with businesses in MK which enables us to deliver really meaningful schemes like this that have a real impact.”