£300k funding boost for Moray recruitment initiative
The Moray Employer Recruitment Incentive (MERI) has received a £300,000 funding boost from the Scottish Government to provide employment to over 40 young people.
The funding, under the Young Person’s Guarantee, is to encourage employers to recruit young people aged 16 – 24 who have had their opportunities disrupted by the covid-19 pandemic.
The MERI offers up to £8,000 for employers who can offer a supported job placement for up to 25 hours a week for 12 months.
The initiative also comes with the added benefit of the young person and employer being assigned a key worker to provide in-work support to both young person and employer.
Chair of Moray Council’s Economic Growth, Housing & Environmental Sustainability Committee, Cllr Graham Leadbitter, said of the scheme: “There are huge employment challenges for young people as a consequence of the pandemic but with this project we can help a significant number get into employment and support their continued development. This is a great opportunity for employers in Moray to support our young workforce to get their career off to a flying start.”
Amy Cruickshank, opportunities for all officer with Moray Council, and co-ordinator of Moray Pathways added: “Businesses and employees who are successful will be provided with keyworker support for the trainee and employer to review progress and support with any training or development opportunities. It really is an exciting opportunity for both employers and our young people.”
Sarah Baxter, programme manager for Developing the Young Workforce in Moray, a key partner in Moray Pathways, encouraged local businesses to get involved: “It is great that we can support businesses financially to help us get young people into the world of work especially considering the significant economic challenges many businesses are facing right now. This is a fantastic opportunity to help a young person gain new skills and experiences and we would recommend Moray businesses to seriously consider getting involved.”
MERI is open to young people aged 16-24 years who are unemployed or at risk of unemployment, such as school leavers. All public, private and third sector employers are eligible to apply for MERI and they can have a maximum of two trainees per annum.
For more information please email moraypathways@moray.gov.uk or call 07929784910.
Learn more about Moray Pathways here.