James Duddridge, Member of Parliament for Rochford and Southend East, has praised the Big Lottery Fund’s announcement of a new £100 million investment to support young people in England.
The Big Lottery Fund venture, ‘Talent Match’, will help to match up the talents of 18-24 year olds not in education, employment or training with local employer needs, or to assist young people in starting up their own enterprises.
Young people have worked with the Big Lottery Fund and a host of experts to decide how best to use the funding to make a positive contribution towards tackling youth unemployment. The ‘Talent Match’ grant will be used to create pathways for young people and employers to come together and help long term unemployed young people to find work.
The Big Lottery Funding will be offered as five year investments across 21 locations in England and will vary in monetary value from £1 million to £10 million, following research which has highlighted key target areas in which a lasting and significant impact can be achieved. It is expected that in each location voluntary and community sector bodies will form a partnership with young people, colleges, employers, local authorities and other agencies to develop solutions which can then be supported by the £100 million Talent Match funding.
James said: “This is excellent news for young people in England who are not currently employed or enrolled in education or training courses as it will assist them in seeking employment or generating new businesses. The ‘Talent Match’ scheme will also provide employers with the opportunity to tap into the various talents and skills that young people across England can offer, creating a partnership that will help tackle youth unemployment’.
ENDS