Falmouth MP Sarah Newton has claimed Government schemes aimed at boosting the employment chances of young people are beginning to work.

Mrs Newton, who earlier this year successfully completed a National Apprenticeship Service challenge to help local employers create one hundred new apprenticeships in a hundred days, recently met with Cornwall Jobcentre Plus and local young people to review the Government’s Work Experience scheme.

The scheme offers 16–24 year old jobseekers the opportunity to undertake a Work Experience placement with local businesses lasting two to eight weeks.

Young people undertaking a Work Experience placement continue to receive their benefit and continue to look for permanent work.

Between April and August this year 67% of Work Experience placements in West and Mid Cornwall have led to the young person involved gaining employment.

Mrs Newton said: ‘‘Cornish students are to be congratulated for achieving some outstanding exam results this summer, many of these students have very exciting further education or employment plans lined up.

‘‘However for those who have had a false start in employment or education and training and are looking for a new direction, help is now available.

“Job Centre Plus are now operating a range of schemes to help young people including the Work Experience programme.

“I have seen firsthand what a positive impact these schemes are having, giving young people the skills and confidence they need to secure permanent employment, in many cases with the employer who offered them the initial work experience opportunity.”