CAERPHILLY County Borough Council is giving young unemployed people a passport to better prospects through the PASSPORT programme.

The Caerphilly PASSPORT programme is an innovative training and employment scheme aimed at ensuring young people across the county borough have the right skills and experience to secure a job.

Developed by the Caerphilly Local Service Board, the scheme is already boasting a number of successes, one of whom has recently secured a permanent position within the authority.

Matthew Miller, 22, from Ystrad Mynach, joined the council on an eight week unpaid placement as a clerical assistant with the Income Maximisation Team. Following his eight weeks, he joined a Jobs Growth Wales funded programme as an Administrative Assistant within the same team.

After only four months on the Jobs Growth Wales scheme, he has secured himself a permanent role in the authority as an Administrative Assistant with IT Business Support.

Matthew, who previously worked a number of jobs including work as a labourer and in call centres, was keen to find a job in an office environment so approached an officer in the Job Centre and was advised that he was a suitable candidate for the PASSPORT programme.

He said, “This job has given me the experience I need to get to where I want to be. Administrative jobs expect applicants to have experience, but without getting a job it is difficult to gain the experience required. It’s a vicious cycle and the PASSPORT programme has helped me to get that experience I need.”

“I have benefitted from lots of training courses like doing my ECDL (European Computer Driving Licence) and a Welsh taster course which have boosted my confidence and my CV.

“I’m excited to start my new job and can’t wait to continue my professional development and progress in my career with the council.”

ENDS