EMBARGOED: 00:01hrs Wednesday 22 January 2014

£6.5M TO HELP JOBLESS YOUTH IN LIVERPOOL

The New Year is looking a lot brighter for young jobseekers in Liverpool as the Big Lottery Fund today (Wednesday) announces the area is to receive over £6.5m from Talent Match, its £108m youth unemployment initiative.

The news comes as the latest job figures are released today by the Office for National Statistics.

The Big Lottery Fund, the largest distributor of good causes money from the National Lottery, launched Talent Match, a scheme designed by young people for young people, with the aim of helping those aged 18-24 who are struggling the most to find career opportunities. Now the Fund has awarded the Merseyside Youth Association £6,559,958 to help local young people who have been unemployed or out of education for at least 12 months.

The aim of the unique scheme, which is driven by young people for young people, is to help those who are struggling with the job market to find career opportunities by boosting their experience.

Merseyside Youth Association will now use themoney to work up local solutions to a nationwide problem that threatens serious consequences for an entire generation of young people and the wider economy.The ACEVO Commission on Youth Unemployment has estimated that the issue will cost £28 billion over the next decade.

Nat Sloane, England Chair of the Big Lottery Fund, said: ‘Youth unemployment is an issue that threatens the hopes of an entire generation as well as our whole economic wellbeing. Talent Match promises to help the very hardest to reach young people to make the most of their skills and ambitions, not just as an end goal, but by giving them a say in how the programme itself is designed and put into practice. The funding announced today is a key step on a very exciting journey as it means the real work can now begin. By bringing together employers and the knowledge of key charities, Talent Match will help ensure today’s young people have the maximum help and support they need to find a fulfilling and rewarding career.’

Rebecca, 19 is a photography enthusiast who dreams of owning her own studio, or even a successful freelancing business. After her mother sadly passed away when she was just twelve, Rebecca struggled to stay focused in school, and it wasn't long before the effects began to be reflected in her grades. Leaving school at just 15 with no qualifications, the future was looking glum for Rebecca, she attempted multiple courses to try and get her education back on track however was unable to complete any of them.

Now aged 19, Rebecca is working with Talent Match Liverpool City Region as a Youth Champion to make sure others in her situation don't feel as helpless as she did. Rebecca said: ‘I know how competitive the job market can be, and it is intimidating for anyone- particularly when you are trying to get into your future career. Talent Match will be a massive support for young people and it is nice to know that there is something out there that will assist me, despite my lack of qualifications and confidence.’

A range of highly experienced organisations in the Liverpool City Region from voluntary, public and private sectors have also partnered up with the scheme to help develop real skills for real jobs to meet the demands of the employers.

Liverpool City Region Talent Match is an accessible and flexible programme which is easy for young people, partners and providers to navigate. Everyone who takes part in the scheme will be assigned an intensive mentor to develop a personalised pathway specific to their skills and goals. Mentors will work with Merseyside Youth Association to enhance employability through opportunities such as volunteering and work placements.

Gill Bainbridge, Chief Executive at Merseyside Youth Association said: ‘The Talent Match programme is a much needed boost to young unemployed people in the Liverpool City Region. By bringing together partners from different sectors, Talent Match will ensure young people have the maximum support they need to find a fulfilling and rewarding career.”

Carillion Construction Services are one of Talent Match sponsors helping to support the scheme in a number of ways including, volunteering, mentoring and skills training. Carillion Community Regeneration Manager, Joanne Reeves, said: ‘We are proud to be a core partner to the Liverpool City Region Talent Match Programme. The initiative provides an inspirational programme of support networks for the young people of Liverpool and will enhance their skills both personally and professionally and access employment opportunities which may not otherwise have been available.’

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Notes to Editors

  • The Big Lottery Fund, the largest distributor of National Lottery good cause funding, is responsible for giving out 40% of the money raised for good causes by the National Lottery.
  • The Fund is committed to bringing real improvements to communities and the lives of people most in need and has been rolling out grants to health, education, environment and charitable causes across the UK. Since its inception in 2004 BIG has awarded close to £6bn.
  • The Fund was formally established by Parliament on 1 December 2006.
  • In the year ending 31 March 2013, 28% of total National Lottery revenue was returned to the Good Causes
  • Since the National Lottery began in 1994, over £30 billion has now been raised and more than 400,000 grants awarded across arts, sport, heritage, charities, health, education and the environment.

Ends//

Issued: 21/01/2014

PN 14-01-38