16 Oct SECRETARY OF STATE FOR WORK AND PENSIONS VISITS GATEWAY ACADEMY
Visiting Gateway Academy in Thurrock, Essex, Work and Pensions Secretary Dr Thérèse Coffey joined local Jobcentre staff to talk to year 11 pupils about their dream jobs and the skills and experience thy might need to get them.
She also announced £7m of new funding to tackle youth unemployment across England by expanding a programme of Schools Advisers to help pupils at risk of falling into unemployment after school.
Work and Pensions Secretary Dr Thérèse Coffey said:
“This government has helped transform the futures of millions of young people. Youth unemployment has fallen by a third in the East of England in just the last two years – and the number of young people claiming out of work benefits in Thurrock has halved since 2010.
“The dedicated support of local employment experts like Frank Thompson here in Thurrock are making a massive difference. Schools like Gateway Academy can reach out to him and other Schools Advisers, offering personal support for any pupil to help them realise their career potential.
This funding will support many more schools in the area, as well as continuing support for those who need it most, long after they leave school.”
Thurrock MP Jackie Doyle-Price said:
“I am hugely impressed at the efforts that Gateway Academy have made to ensure that all their students find work, training or go onto further study when they leave. Young people are encouraged to follow their ambitions and are helped to find a route to achieving them.
I have always said you should reach for the stars. If you don’t get where you want to be you will certainly be better off than if you haven’t tried at all. And who knows you might end up doing something better.
I decided I wanted to work in politics as a researcher. I never dreamed that I would become a Member of Parliament, let alone a Government Minister. If you work hard and take every opportunity given to you, you can make it to the top.”
