Campaign to get Surrey youngsters into work attracts 62 busineses
10:00am Saturday 8th September 2012 in News By Laura Proto
A campaign to get teenagers in Surrey into work has hit the halfway mark just weeks after being launched.
Surrey County Council leader, David Hodge, unveiled the scheme offering businesses a cash incentive to hire 200 apprentices eight weeks ago.
Sixty two businesses have been handed the £1,500 grant to hire a teenage apprentices, with another 45 waiting for their bid to be given the go ahead.
Employers across Surrey, including Leo Bancroft in Weybridge, have come forward to offer under-19s roles in a range of industries, including customer service, carpentry, hairdressing and childcare.
The council set the apprenticeship target as part of a drive to stimulate economic growth that has also seen plans put in place to combat the number of young people not in education, employment or training (Neet).
Mr Hodge said: “I’m thrilled with the progress so far and I fully expect more businesses to sign up in the coming weeks.”
Fewer than four in 100 young people in Surrey are considered Neet, one of the lowest numbers in the country. The national average is more than six in 100.
