Under 25s will be able to claim unemployment benefits while undertaking intensive training courses as the government continues its crusade towards full employment.
Work and pensions secretary Peter Hain announced yesterday that young people will be eligible for jobseeker’s allowance while taking part in Get Into courses run by the Prince’s Trust.
The courses are run by specialists in each sector to give youngsters the skills and work experience needed to get jobs in those fields. Food, drink, travel and even some childcare is provided for free by the charity.
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Hain told delegates at the Labour Party conference in Bournemouth: “We have to do more to ensure that young men, particularly in our inner cities, do not fall into a cycle of economic inactivity and social exclusion.
“That is why I am pleased to announce that Jobcentre Plus has signed an agreement with the Prince’s Trust that will mean our most disadvantaged young people will be able to access the Trust’s fantastically successful Get Into programmes while retaining the financial support of benefit.”