Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Supporting Young People into Work

Monday 28 June 2021 · 4 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 1 Partly answered 3 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Ministerial engagement includes working with charities and training providers through the delivery of DWP youth hubs.
  • Support for young people involves understanding the benefits of observing and interacting with older workers in the workplace.
  • Jobcentre Plus branches offer local labour market knowledge and can assist MPs in organizing effective careers fairs.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Matt Vickers Con Stockton West
Employment Benefits & Welfare
Context

The question addresses the issue of helping young people to find employment, focusing on collaboration with charities and training providers.

Question

What steps she is taking to work with (a) charities and (b) training providers to support young people back into work?

Answer from Mims Davies

Engaging with charities and training providers is central to our support for young people. This collaborative working includes the co-delivery of our national network of more than 130 new DWP youth hubs, helping us to assist young people to be ready to take up opportunities in growing sectors and move into new kickstart roles.

Answered
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Q2 David Johnston
Employment Benefits & Welfare
Context

The question focuses on making underutilised office space available for training young people with the necessary skills.

Question

I am one of those people who do not think it is a good idea for everybody to work from home, because it means that young people do not have older workers that they can observe and chat to, to learn the ropes. However, while a lot of office space sits empty or underoccupied, would my hon. Friend consider encouraging employers to make that space available to charities and training providers in order to train young people in the skills they need?

Answer from Mims Davies

I very much understand my colleague's comments. Supporting young people to thrive and find new opportunities is an important priority for me, and I take his comments on board. This is exactly what we are doing with our new DWP youth hubs. Jobcentre Plus works with employers, training providers and charities to identify local training needs and to ensure that opportunities and suitable outreach are available for all claimants, including young people.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Encouraging employers to make underutilised office spaces available for training

How: Supporting Young People Is A Priority, Using New Dwp Youth Hubs

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Q3 Saqib Bhatti Con Meriden and Solihull East
Employment Benefits & Welfare
Context

The question is about the role of Jobcentre Plus in supporting local initiatives like careers fairs to promote opportunities.

Question

Careers fairs can be a fantastic way of promoting opportunity in the local area, which is why I plan to host one in my constituency of Meriden in the coming months. Given the strengths of jobcentres and their local relationships, what support can they provide to help make careers fairs such as mine a success?

Answer from Mims Davies

Jobcentre staff have a wealth of knowledge of the local labour market, cultivated by working closely with MPs, partners and businesses in their local community. My hon. Friend's careers fair will be a very welcome addition to the ongoing work of Jobcentre Plus branches in the area, which are inviting employers on a one-to-one basis for kickstart interviews daily. They have virtual group information sessions as well to get young people into work.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific support for his upcoming career fair

How: Jobcentre Staff'S Local Knowledge, Ongoing Work Of Jobcentre Plus Branches

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Q4 Matt Vickers Con Stockton West
Employment Benefits & Welfare
Context

The question addresses the support provided by Jobcentre Plus to local training organisations such as Lakota Training Group.

Question

The Lakota Training Group, set up by Joanne and Paul in Stockton, does incredible work, helping the long-term unemployed to develop the skills and confidence they need to get great jobs—they go above and beyond to change the lives of so many people. What steps is my hon. Friend taking to help training providers such as Lakota continue to help people find work and unleash their full potential?

Answer from Mims Davies

I know that my hon. Friend's local Jobcentre Plus in Stockton has a very important relationship with Lakota and they have been working closely together for a number of years. They are currently offering motivational and employability courses, including “All about you”, which builds on the customer's skills, confidence and job search techniques and will help us, crucially, to deliver good job outcomes for local people in Stockton.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific steps being taken

How: Important Relationship With Lakota, Current Courses Offered

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