In total £3.28m has been set aside by the City of London Corporation for the Get Young People Working scheme, which will be available to all 32 London boroughs.
“While the coalition government and Mayor of London are developing a range of initiatives to address unemployment and the growing numbers of Neets, much more could be done locally,” Clare Thomas, chief grants officer at the City of London Corporation said.
“The City can play a useful role in helping London’s local authorities build on existing programmes by providing extra support to some of their most hard-to-reach young people.”
Department for Education figures show that in the first quarter of 2012, there were 125,000 16- to 24-year-olds classed as not in employment, education or training (Neet) in London, representing 14 per cent of the total population for the age group.
Mark Boleat, policy chairman of the City of London Corporation, said: “Young people are the lifeblood of London like any great city. They bring the ideas, innovation, and enthusiasm needed to drive our economy forward.
"That is why it is vital that the City plays its part in tackling the pernicious problem of youth unemployment facing communities across the capital.
“In our experience of supporting London’s third sector through the City of London Corporation’s charity, City Bridge Trust, we have found that the best outcomes are achieved when boroughs and charities work together in partnership to develop local, flexible strategies.
“That is why 'Get Young People Working' aims to support grass roots initiatives across the 32 boroughs – each of which has its own specific challenges in this area. This new scheme will make a tangible difference to local communities and ensure that we not only inspire a generation, but also help to employ one.”
Faiza Khan, deputy chief executive at the National Council for Voluntary Youth Services (NCVYS), said the voluntary youth sector has a vital role to play alongside local authorities to provide better life chances for our young people.
“For many young people it’s not simply a case of pointing them towards a job, but it’s about the wider journey of support to help them find employment," she said.
"That support can be crucial in helping young people to break cycles of unemployment, deprivation and other barriers to work, which if ?unchecked can lead to long-term poverty and unemployment in later life.
"These grants will help to foster greater partnership working between the voluntary youth sector, local statutory partners and businesses, all of whom must work together to create much needed opportunities for all our young people.”
