THE COALITION government has announced a plan - backed up by £1 billion - to create over 410,000 work placements for young people.

This is exactly the right measure to tackle the growing problem of rising unemployment in the 16 to 24 age group.

My own experience in giving work experience to young people is encouraging.

Over the years, I have provided work experience opportunities in agriculture, business and, latterly, politics to young people and I have always had good feedback.

The financial incentive worth £2,275 of wage subsidies to small businesses in particular, will open up a number of doors to young people to enable them to start a career.

In terms of the shortage of certain skills, this measure will also help to direct school leavers to the right courses for further training.

In essence, the scheme will ensure that young people will be able to enter the world of work with experience, confidence and training.

It will also give employers the ability to plan their recruitment strategies more effectively as they will benefit from being able to access a more developed pool of potential employees.

This policy is timely in terms of my own plans for a ‘Festival of Manufacturing and Engineering’ to be held across the area in April next year.

The festival will celebrate the role manufacturing has already played in our communities, highlight the new technologies and products now being developed and, crucially, highlight career pathways in the sector for young people.

Whenever I visit factories in the area, I am always impressed with the quality of the work environment, levels of innovation and investment and appreciation of the employees.

It is very much in our interests as a manufacturing area to highlight the achievements of our businesses so that young people recognise the potential of seeking employment in the sector.

Coupled measures to improve access to capital for our small businesses, the work placements scheme bodes well for our economic future.

If you would like to discuss the issues raised above, please contact me on 01453 751572 or visit my website – www.neilcarmichael.co.uk.