Plymouth's 1000 Club shortlisted for national prize

Plymouth's 1000 Club has been shortlisted for a prestigious national prize that recognises the public and private sector working together.

The 1000 Club was set up through the Plymouth Growth Board – a partnership between business and public sector leaders – to make it easier for young people and employers to team up to better suit each other's needs.

Now it is up for an award from the Local Government Chronicle that recognises the work between local councils and the private sector to create some of the most exciting developments in local government.

Since the launch in September 2012, the club has been hugely successful and so far:

429 in employment
504 apprenticeships
206 graduate internships
389 work placements
611 student work experience placements

Councillor Leader Tudor Evans said: "I'm thrilled to bits that this club is getting recognition on a national level.

It's a simple but brilliant idea and it is down to the team work between partners in business and the public sector that this proactive effort to give young people a foot in the door has been such a success.

We need to make our young people more ready for the world of work and build their skills during tough economic conditions. By working as one city, this one club has had a phenomenal impact on our young and is changing lives."

Over 800 organisations and businesses signed up to the 1000 Club, including major city companies Kawasaki, First Great Western, Burt's Crisps, Babcocks, Rittal, Pipex and Plymouth Citybus.

Chair of the Growth Board and Plymouth Chamber of Commerce, Paul Woods said: "It's good for businesses are well as the young people who are able and enthusiastic but who find themselves in a job market at a difficult time. Businesses gain as many young people offer a fresh prospective and different skills that can lead to new ideas and new trade."

The club is further developing member services which will include employer support packs, to make it easy for busy companies to consider generic activities for work experience placements, student placements and apprenticeships that not only help the young person's development, but could also help the business.

The 1000 Club is one of 19 projects in Plymouth's Plan for Jobs, a concentrated effort by the Council to bring together actions and commitments from city organisations to pump energy, motivation and substantial funding into the local economy to stimulate growth and jobs.