Penrith and The Border MP, Dr Neil Hudson, attended and spoke at the physical launch of the Penrith Youth Hub late last week. The Hub, based in the Eden Rural Foyer in Penrith, will provide Eden jobseekers under the age of 25 with extra support in their search for work.
The hub also has outreach locations across Eden District. It is part of the UK Government’s multi-billion-pound Plan for Jobs, and is one of six similar hubs being opened across the county.
Young jobseekers will be able to take advantage of a comprehensive service, with Youth Employability Coaches from Jobcentre Plus providing them with tailored support to find work or reskill for alternative careers, and alerting them to available training opportunities in the locality.
The Eden hub will operate from Penrith each Tuesday, 10:00am to 4:00pm, and partner organisations based at the Foyer will also be able to offer guidance on wider issues related to unemployment, including budgeting, debt management and housing.
Commenting, Dr Hudson said:
“It was a real pleasure to attend the physical launch of the Penrith Youth Hub, having also attended the virtual opening at the height of the pandemic. It is really exciting to see what is planned for the new Youth Hub in Penrith and great to see it coming to fruition. A huge thanks to all the partners and stakeholders who made this project a reality. When a young person is 16-24 it is a vital stage of their development, so the Youth Hub can play a vital role in getting young folk on the job ladder and kick-starting their careers. This is community partnership working at its best to support our young folk moving forward.”
Minister for Employment, Mims Davies MP said:
“Through the DWP Youth Offer, which includes new Youth Hubs like this one as well as the Kickstart scheme, we are giving young jobseekers in Eden the support they need to find employment and access vital training so they can get their lives on track.
“This is a challenging time for many young people, but with our Plan for Jobs creating new opportunities, boosting skills, and supporting young people getting into work and help them progress, we’re ready to push to build back better.”
Cllr Phil Dew, Chairman of Cumbria County Council’s Eden Local Committee, said:
“I fully support the recently opened Youth Hub based at Penrith Rural Foyer. This exciting project is providing an innovative new service for jobseekers under the age of 25 in Eden. It offers young people the training and help they need to overcome the barriers - such as transport, housing, digital connectivity and mental health - which are currently preventing them from fulfilling their career ambitions. The Youth Hub is a place where agencies and partners can work together in a collaborative way - with the welfare of young people very much at heart. I wish the initiative every success.”
