Clegg beats drum for Youth Contract (From Gazette)

Clegg beats drum for Youth Contract

8:41am Monday 13th February 2012 in National News © Press Association 2011

Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg is to appeal for businesses to sign up to the coalition Government's drive to tackle youth unemployment.

The £1 billion Youth Contract is intended to create at least 410,000 work places for 18-24 year olds over the next three years.

Under the scheme, from April firms who take on youths will get £2,275-worth of help with their wages.

"Getting young people earning or learning is my top priority and that's what the Youth Contract is going to do," Liberal Democrat leader Mr Clegg will say.

"This is a long-term boost to help business get young people into jobs before lasting damage is done.

"Employers have a huge part to play in this and the subsidy we're announcing today benefits business and young people.

"Today I'm writing out to thousands of employers of all sizes - from global corporations to small local firms - calling on them to look at what we're offering through the Youth Contract and sign up to offer jobs from April.

"This is a significant moment and a call to arms for businesses to offer long-term opportunities to young people who are out of work."

On Monday morning, Mr Clegg met young apprentices at K&M McLoughlin Decorating Ltd in Islington, north London, as he promoted the Youth Contract. The Deputy Prime Minister toured the premises, which has its own school where youngsters learn their trade.

The firm was started in 1988 by Kevin McLoughlin, who worked his way up from being an apprentice to owning the company, which has a turnover of more than £6 million a year. The firm opened its decorating school in October 2010 and now has 22 apprentices.