Minister Chloe Smith inspired to start jobless campaign by Ladder for London

 
Chloe Smith, Conservative - Norwich North. Photo: Ben Stansall/AFP/Getty Images
4 February 2013

A high-flying minister has started her own crusade to get jobless young people into apprenticeships after being inspired by the Evening Standard’s Ladder for London.

Cabinet Office Minister Chloe Smith has enrolled scores of businesses, colleges and job centre staff in her Norwich North constituency to help meet her target of halving local youth unemployment by creating 1,000 employment places over two years.

“I found the Ladder for London campaign very inspiring,” she said. “As far as I’m aware, no other cities outside London have tried a similar programme. I launched Norwich for Jobs because I want to get young Norwich working in a similar way to Ladder for London.

“We know there are about 2,000 young Norwich people attending Norwich Job Centre,” said Ms Smith, 30. “Compared with London, that may sound like a drop in the ocean, but we think we can encourage about 1,000 opportunities over two years.

“Local business is at the heart of this and, just like the Evening Standard, we are asking Norwich firms, large, medium and small, to consider if they could take on a young person.” Although the plan was only launched a week ago, Ms Smith said: “We have been overwhelmed by the really positive response. I know the city shared my passions for helping young people and also, of course, securing great talents for our local businesses.

“We have an overflowing in-box, full of offers coming in. I’ve got a great team together, including local businesses, further education, our major regional media and, of course, Job Centre Plus.”

The Evening Standard’s Ladder for London has so far secured 627 pledges of apprenticeships. The roll of honour of companies offering places includes Metro Bank, with 150, Sainsbury’s, 50, British Gas, 32, Royal Bank of Scotland, 16, and Pret A Manger, 12.

For more information, visit www.standard.co.uk/ladderforlondon

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