MORE than 3,000 young people have now benefitted from Foundation for Jobs since the initiative to tackle rising youth unemployment was launched just over two years ago.

They include 274 new apprentices, 2,531 school age pupils building closer links with industry, 251 young people taking part in internships or eight-week work experience placements and 66 young people developing entrepreneurial skills.

A national award-winning project, Foundation for Jobs is a joint initiative involving The Northern Echo, Darlington Borough Council and the Darlington Partnership of private firms and public sector organisations and has enjoyed support from businesses and industrialists across the whole North-East region.

Upwards of 150 businesses have so far been involved in the campaign in some shape or form and the young people involved range in ages from 10 to 24.

Chris McEwan, the council’s cabinet member for economy and regeneration and chairman of the Foundation for Jobs board, said: “To have passed the 3,000 mark really is an amazing achievement but this campaign has never been about just numbers.

“Every one of those 3,000 young people has either secured a quality apprenticeship that will train them to the required industry standards, an internship placement that helps them develop valuable workplace skills or had links with industry that leave them better informed about their opportunities in life.

“Foundation for Jobs is not resting on its laurels but continuing to build on what has been achieved already.

"Having worked with Darlington’s secondary schools since the programme was launched we are continuing to involve more and more of the primary schools in our activities.

“We have exciting new projects pencilled in for this year around subsea, an important growth industry in Darlington and we are at the point now where other areas are approaching us to ask for advice on setting up Foundation for Jobs style projects.”

Already this year the project has been visited by HRH The Duke of York, carried out major engineering projects and entrepreneurship projects in schools and been involved in the development of opportunities for young people with learning disabilities.

For more information go to www.foundationforjobs.co.uk or contact co-ordinator Owen McAteer at owen.mcateer@darlington.gov.uk