Prince Charles visited the headquarters of his youth charity The Prince's Trust this week to announce 100 new jobs for unemployed young people – who will then help a further 100,000 young people to find work.
The new scheme will see young people, who have faced long-term unemployment and transformed their lives with help from The Prince’s Trust, employed as ‘Job Ambassadors’ to help other jobless youngsters.
The announcement is a direct response to the recent record-breaking youth unemployment levels – which hit 1.04 million last month.
Martina Milburn, chief executive of The Prince’s Trust, says: “We know that long-term unemployment can be demoralising – crushing self-esteem and derailing ambition. The young people we are employing will have lived through this. They will be able to share their own experiences with today’s unemployed young people and – crucially – give them the inspiration, advice and guidance they need to find a job.”
This scheme will make sure an unemployed generation does not become an unemployable one.
The Job Ambassador initiative will launch in the West Midlands, where Wolverhampton has one of the highest youth unemployment rates. It will then be rolled out across the country, focussing on other unemployment hotspots – particularly helping the long-term unemployed.
A number of stars have come out in support of the Job Ambassadors scheme, including Stephen Fry, Phillip Schofield, Paloma Faith, Ben Kingsley, Michael Caine and Dynamo.
“I got in to a lot of mischief when I was young – I know all too well how easy it is to go down the wrong path,” said Stephen Fry. "Many young people need a second chance to get their lives back on track and realise their potential. The Prince’s Trust is one charity which helps young people to make that change and make something of themselves.
“If this scheme gets the word of The Prince’s Trust to more young people in today’s challenging climate – it’s got to be a good thing.”
“There is a false perception out there that young people today are layabouts – they are not,” added Sir Michael Caine. "The Prince’s Trust is vital in making sure we dispel that myth. Young people want to work – and The Trust’s new Job Ambassador scheme will make sure this happens.
“With the right backing and funding behind it, I think this scheme will be pivotal in turning our county’s youth unemployment crisis around.”
Find out more here.
Source: Prince's Trust
