A NEW drop-in support hub for young people receiving career advice and guidance has launched at The Hive.
The Youth Hub is a partnership with Worcestershire County Council, the Department of Work and Pensions and the Worcestershire Local Enterprise Partnership.
It is aimed at 15 to 24 year-olds and will provide a one stop shop to support young people in finding the right career path; providing one to one advice with a dedicated advisor, employability workshops and training.
The main hub will operate out of the Hive with a plan to pop up in additional areas throughout the county.
Worcestershire County Council’s Skills and Investment group manager Judith Gibbs and strategic director of people Mark Fitton, gave short speeches before officially opening the Hub alongside current council chairman Coun Chris Rogers.
The launch stems from the impact of the pandemic on young people in Worcestershire as at its height the number of young people claiming benefits rose to almost 10 per cent.
Judy Gibbs said: “The launch of the Youth Hub is a really momentous occasion, we’ve worked really hard to get to this point.
“We met with the DWP in the winter to try and create a base which will enhance the support available to young people looking for employment or the next step in their career, and the Youth Hub was created, and I’m really looking forward to seeing the difference it makes to the county’s young people.”
Charlie Lloyd, Department for Work and Pensions Mercia district employer and partnership leader said: “ The “Plan For Jobs”, Youth Hubs, are a fantastic opportunity for young jobseekers to benefit from the support available from the jobcentre and partners, so they develop the skills and abilities needed to gain employment.
Worcestershire Youth Hub is central to the support for anyone aged 16 to 24, particularly in Worcester.
So far many young people have benefited from the guidance they have received, which will help them to go onto a brighter, secure future.”
