UK Government Minister for Employment Rt. Hon. Mims Davies, MP joined Jack Brereton and the Staffordshire Chambers of Commerce for a round table this week, to discuss existing and potential Government initiatives to get Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire back to work post-pandemic.
The meeting was chaired by Stoke-on-Trent South MP Jack Brereton, who welcomed the Government’s Kickstart Scheme and offered to continue to help local organisations make the best use of Government support.
The Kickstart Scheme offers Government-funded work placements for 18-24 year olds on Universal Credit.
The round table was attended by businesses, training providers, representatives from the Local Enterprise Partnership, college Principals, the Chambers as a Gateway for the scheme and third sector organisations from right across Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire.
Jack Brereton MP said:
“Unemployment in Stoke-on-Trent has been a long term problem, and as we recover from COVID we have no time to waste getting back to pre-COVID employment levels, and then beyond that.
I am confident that with support, the Government’s initiatives such as the Kickstart Scheme, the Restart Scheme for long-term unemployment, and the Work Academy Programme to help people reskill – we have the portfolio to help everyone find employment and improve their skillset.”
Sara Williams, Chief Executive of Staffordshire Chambers of Commerce said:
“It was excellent to welcome Mims Davies to the round table. Her commitment to making this scheme work and her interest in the successes and challenges facing businesses and partner engaging with the Kickstart Scheme was refreshing and helpful.
Staffordshire Chambers of Commerce is passionate about helping young people into employment post-pandemic and see this scheme and others as a way to bring new enthusiasm into our brilliant businesses and organisations and support the growth of the economy and prosperity for all.
We are proud to be a Gateway and have already but over 1200 job opportunities from businesses across the area for young people. The scheme lasts until December and we are sure that we can generate even more. We look forward to welcoming Mims back in the future to highlight our successes.”
