Young people in Teesside are invited to join in the ‘big conversation’ about overcoming barriers to employment this Saturday. Jessie Joe Jacobs, Labour candidate for Tees Valley Mayor is ready to listen to youth across the Tees as she shapes her employment plans.
Youth have been hit hard by the pandemic with hospitality and retail suffering more than any other sector in the lockdown, their traditional first steps into employment. And Jessie is eager to help them make up lost ground once the economy starts to reopen.
“I am passionate about our young people, having led organisations and created employment opportunities for many of them for a number of years,” she said.
“They are our future and we must listen to them to find the solutions for tomorrow. The pandemic has hit our young people hard, but we have so many opportunities to explore and exploit, to ensure they get on in life. They deserve the best start and I intend to give them that.
“We are seeing youth unemployment rise across all parts of the Tees Valley and there is a clear need for a real strategy to bring this under control, provide significant intervention and offer more support, training and job opportunities.
“As Tees Valley Mayor I will lead on developing a real strategy alongside young people and employers; to create jobs, tackle low wages and ensure our young people have the means to get to new jobs through well connected and affordable public transport.”
If elected Mayor in May 2021 Jessie plans to launch ‘Future Jobs hubs,’ one-stop shops to provide support and advice to access jobs and training opportunities of the future.
Jessie will announce further support to tackle youth unemployment at the summit including tackling zero-hour contracts, championing a real living wage and boosting Kick-Start apprenticeships to offer access to secure skilled jobs fit for the future.
Cat Smith, shadow minister of youth affairs is scheduled to join in to discuss Labour plans to tackle the problem.,
The ‘Big Conversation’ has been organised by two charities, Youth Focus North East and Safer Communities and will be held on Zoom on Saturday 13 March between 2-4pm.
Jo Hodgkinson, CEO of Safer Communities said: “We, along with Youth Focus North East, are delighted to support Jessie in learning more about what our young people need to secure a positive future.”
To register for the event young people aged 14-24 should email: office@youthfocusne.org.uk
