Mark Garnier MP for Wyre Forest has welcomed a Westminster Hall debate praising the Government’s Work Experience scheme.
Tabled by Nuneaton MP Marcus Jones, the debate focused on the dramatic increase in apprenticeships and the implementation of the Youth Contract seen under this Government.
Under the Youth Contract there will be 250,000 extra work experience places over the next three years, thus taking the yearly total to 100,000.
The Department of Work and Pensions reports that 50% of all participants on work experience schemes move off benefits within three months.
After the debate, Mark said:
“This is an important subject and I am pleased my colleague Marcus Jones secured the debate. I fully support the Government’s Work Experience scheme, which is helping young people onto the ladder of work and giving them valuable experience of the workplace.
There are over 50,000 young people claiming Jobseekers Allowance who have never held a formal job before. If we can get people into the work environment - even if it is for a relatively short period - their attractiveness to an employer is increased immeasurably.”