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A new employment and skills hub is to be launched in South Tyneside next week.

The centre will provide advice, guidance and training for residents who are looking to take their first step into the world of work, are long-term unemployed or changing career path.

It will also offer support to young people whose job opportunities have been impacted by Covid-19.

Led by the Council, South Tyneside Works will bring together key organisations to deliver a wealth of support to help residents into sustained employment.

Employment Advisors from Skills South Tyneside will be located within the hub to support delivery of the £2billion government Kickstart Scheme, which will enable employers in the Borough to offer six-month job placements for 180 16-24-year-olds at risk of long-term unemployment.

Cllr Tracey Dixon, Leader of Â鶹ÊÓƵ, said: "Creating the conditions for economic recovery is one of the priorities we set out earlier this year.

"South Tyneside Works is going to be a one-stop-shop for advice, practical help and coaching to help people, whether they are trying to enter the jobs market for the first time or looking to get back into work.

"There will also be dedicated teams focusing on young people, who have been hit disproportionately hard by the pandemic, with a steep rise in youth unemployment since March last year.

"We're committed to equipping our young people with the skills to enter strong and prosperous employment sectors.

"The new hub will bring together a range of organisations to help residents successfully build sustainable careers and ensure we are creating a well-qualified, skilled workforce to capitalise on regional economic opportunities."

The under 35s account for 80 per cent of jobs lost in the past year.

The hub will coordinate support from Skills South Tyneside, Connexions South Tyneside, the Department for Work and Pensions and National Careers Service

Dedicated Youth Employability Coaches from Job Centre Plus will be based at South Tyneside Works to support young people aged 18-24 with additional advice and guidance such as help with CVs, job search skills and interview techniques as well as providing information on apprenticeships, enterprise and career advice.

A spokesperson for the DWP said: "We're happy to be part of South Tyneside Works, providing young people with the tailored support they need to find work as we come out of this pandemic, and offering job opportunities through our Kickstart scheme with a vast range of local employers."

For further information please visit /article/72554/South-Tyneside-Works