Young people in Abergavenny have been receiving support to get into further education or employment through a dedicated training facility in the town.

Itec, on Lower Castle Street, provides training to young people who aren’t economically active to help them break into the jobs market. It is also where a new scheme from the UK Government is being piloted to help reduce the number of young people Not in Education, Employment or Training (NEETS).

Earlier this year, the Office for National Statistics (ONS) revealed there were over a million people NEETS for the first time since 2013, or 13.5 per cent of the UK’s population between 16 and 24. Now, the UK Government’s ‘Jobs Guarantee’ is being introduced. As part of the scheme, 18-24-year-olds who have been on Universal Credit and looking for work for 18 months or more will be offered a fully funded, six-month paid job to help them add experience to their CV.

Critics have argued the scheme is reliant on slow local rollouts and concerns over low-quality, insecure work being offered to those actively seeking work rather than deep-rooted economic fixes. However, on a recent visit to Itec, the MP for Monmouthshire, Catherine Fookes, said the pilot can help young people take their first step on the employment ladder.

"It was fantastic to visit Itec and see the brilliant work they're doing to support young people into employment,” she said.

“I had the chance to meet the team and speak with some of the young people taking part, who told me about the projects they're working on and their hopes for the future.”

“Some young people simply need the support and confidence to take that first step into work and build a successful career. Programmes like this provide exactly that, helping people develop new skills, gain valuable experience and realise their potential."

The UK Government's Jobs Guarantee forms part of the wider Youth Guarantee, which aims to ensure every young person has access to employment, education or training opportunities.