Action for Wiltshire press release - A 'New Workforce for Wiltshire'

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On Thursday 27 May 2010, the house and grounds of Hartham Park, Corsham, played host to Wiltshire Council’s ‘New Workforce for Wiltshire’ event, whereby young people and local employers had the opportunity to network and celebrate the success of the Wiltshire Potential Future Jobs Fund initiative.

Wiltshire Council was fortunate enough to enlist the services of Nick Hewer, one of the stars of the BBC series The Apprentice, as guest speaker for the evening. Nick’s local roots and extensive involvement with apprenticeships and other training for young people rendered him an ideal advocate for the scheme, which will create 495 new employment opportunities for unemployed 18-24 year-olds in Wiltshire.

The event, which was hosted by the chair of Wiltshire’s Strategic Economic Partnership (WSEP), Steve Stone, provided the perfect opportunity to recognise the achievements of the Action for Wiltshire programme so far, and to look ahead to the futures of both the initiative, and the young people who have benefited from temporary employment through its work.

Feedback from the event has been overwhelmingly positive, with many local employers attending the event remarking on the quality of candidates, with some of these young people even securing further work on the night.

Employers participating in the programme by creating temporary six month jobs were provided the opportunity to nominate their Future Jobs Fund employees for an achievement award. Nominations had to demonstrate the contribution the employee had made to their employer organisation; the contribution they had made to the local community through the work they have undertaken; the extent to which they have developed during their employment period; and their achievements during their employment period.

This award went to Melanie Lanfear, Horticultural Technician at North Wessex Training who was presented with a brand new laptop.

Through a ‘Question Time’-style debate, the audience heard about the successes of the Future Jobs Fund initiative in Wiltshire, and the measures in place to ensure these young people reach their potential. The discussion reinforced the need to foster the talent observed amongst those young people involved and provide local opportunities to ensure Wiltshire’s future economic success. Nick Hewer remarked that this was a time for employers to “take a chance and go for it” with young people.

Panellists included Wiltshire Council, FJF employees and employers and Wiltshire College, who, like North Wessex Training and the National Apprenticeship Service, have an employment and skills offer to young people and employers in Wiltshire.

Currently, Wiltshire Council is conducting a feasibility study to determine whether this programme is sustainable on a local basis beyond the period for which a government grant is available. Running such an initiative could dramatically reduce the knock-on costs of unemployment amongst young people and make a significant contribution to the businesses, charitable organisations and communities of Wiltshire.

The New Workforce for Wiltshire Event both celebrated the success of the Future Jobs Fund initiative in Wiltshire and identified the need for a continued programme to support young people through employment into the future.

Last updated: 13 June 2011