Douglas McAllister MP announces Youth Hub to launch this month

Douglas McAllister MP said;

“I am delighted to finally announce the official opening of our new, UK-Government funded West Dunbartonshire Youth Hub. I have been working with the DWP and our local football teams to ensure that our new youth hub is a success.

The great thing about our Youth Hub is that it will not fixed to just one location. While Tullochan is the main central location for now, depending on demand, it could also be at Holm Park in Clydebank on the same day that it is in Dumbarton. We have done this in order to ensure that our Youth Hub is accessible to as many of our young people as possible.

I am determined to do all I can to improve the prospects of our young people here in West Dunbartonshire and this new youth hub is a huge boost for our local communities, providing direct connections to employers with live job and apprenticeship opportunities.

We are tackling youth unemployment and investing in the future of young people across West Dunbartonshire.”

The new youth hub will provide young people aged 16-24 with jobs, apprenticeships, and careers advice, skills and training opportunities, and mental health and housing support, all under one roof.

Nicky Reid, SPFL Trust Chief Executive, said;

“We’re extremely proud to have been chosen to deliver these vital Youth Hubs in partnership with the DWP across the country. Football clubs and their associated community trusts are places where many young people feel a strong sense of connection, making them a natural fit for this programme.

These initiatives will play a crucial role in helping participants access the training and support they need to take the next step in their careers or education.”

The Youth Hubs form part of the UK Labour Government’s wider £2.5 billion investment in the Youth Guarantee and Growth and Skills Levy, supporting almost one million young people across the UK and creating up to 500,000 opportunities to earn or learn.

This also includes the Jobs Guarantee, backed by more than 400 employers, which will support over 90,000 Universal Credit claimants aged 18 to 24 into work over the next three years. The first cohort has already started jobs with retailers including Boots and Lidl.

There is also the Youth Jobs Grant, which provides local businesses a £3,000 hiring bonus for every young person aged 18 to 24 that they employ who has been on Universal Credit and looking for work for six months or more.

Minister for Work and Pensions, Pat McFadden said;

“We are delivering support in every region, connecting young people with employers, and meeting them where they are so they can move into work, as we reform the welfare state into a working state.

This is about breaking down barriers, opening doors and ensuring every young person can earn or learn, wherever they live.”

The Tullochan is located at Poplar Road, Dumbarton, G82 2RD.

Further details on the West Dunbartonshire Youth Hub to follow on Douglas McAllister MP’s social media pages.