Politicians hit out at government work experience scheme (From Haringey Independent)

Politicians hit out at government work experience scheme

5:27pm Thursday 3rd January 2013 in News By Bruce Thain

Politicians have hit out at a government work experience scheme which they say has failed to help young people find jobs.

Haringey Labour says the government’s Youth Contract scheme is not helped young people in the borough get into work.

The programme was launched in April 2012 and figures show there have been no placements organised in Tottenham and only ten in the rest of the borough.

The scheme was launched nationwide by the Department of Work and Pensions and aims to provide nearly half a million jobs for people from the age of 18 and 24.

Labour Councillor Joe Goldberg said: “The Youth Contract clearly isn’t worth the paper it’s written on. It’s a disgrace that after nine months, only ten young people in Haringey have benefited from a placement.

“If you live in the Tottenham constituency, whether on Green Lanes or in Northumberland Park, the work experience scheme doesn’t seem to be operating at all.

“The Government’s continuing complacency around youth unemployment is simply staggering. As a council we’re investing resources in tackling unemployment locally, but it’s time the Government showed they’re taking the issue seriously too.”

The figures come following a Freedom of Information request which also shows nationally 9,870 placements have been organised as part of the Youth Contract.