Hope for Crawley’s young jobseekers

Crawley’s young jobseekers will get improved employment support thanks to a new service launched today by Crawley Borough Council, in partnership with Jobcentre Plus. 

In response to the rapid increase in unemployment among young adults caused by the pandemic, the council’s Employ Crawley team has joined forces with Jobcentre Plus, securing funding to set up a Youth Hub – an employment advice service to help local young people back into work. 

Jobcentre Plus and Employ Crawley Advisors will work together to help young adults find work, support them to reskill for alternative careers, and access training opportunities. Importantly, this specialist service will also identify and address barriers that are holding young people back. 

Crawley’s new Youth Hub forms part of the Department for Work and Pensions wider support for young jobseekers which will see them roll out across the UK in a range of settings ensuring those in need have vital access to support. 

Mims Davies, MP for Mid Sussex and Minister for Employment, who will attend the official launch of the hub virtually on the 9 November, said: “Getting a Youth Hub up and running in Crawley means young jobseekers here have the support they need on their doorstep. Whether that’s help to get a first job or a new job in a new sector, the experts that run this Hub will be able to find the right opportunities for the young people who come for help.

“This is a challenging time for many young people and we are serious about investing in the support they need, including running Youth Hubs like this across the country and launching the £2 billion Kickstart scheme that will offer paid 6 month roles to under 25s. While times are tough, I want young people to know there is hope – and opportunity – out there.”

The Hub will be located on the ground floor of the Town Hall and can be accessed by appointment only, from Monday to Friday, 10am to 4pm. Services provided by the new Youth Hub will also be available virtually.

Work has been undertaken to ensure the Hub is Covid secure and visitors attending appointments will be asked to follow safety measures. 

The Youth Hub will also actively promote the Government’s Kickstart Scheme for 16-24 year olds and will support them to find a placement that suits them. 

Cabinet member for Planning and Economic Development, Councillor Peter Smith, said: “There are many people in Crawley who need help and the council is committed to doing all we can to ensure that this help is readily available for everyone, including our young people. 

“It’s important the needs of our local young people are not forgotten and this new service will mean they have access to valuable support towards getting back into employment and to start building successful careers.”

For more information about the service, visit: https://investcrawley.co.uk/employment-and-skills

To book an appointment, please call 07814 903871 /  07909730956 or email employcrawley@crawley.gov.uk