Gloucestershire County Council’s new website www.yes2jobs.co.uk  goes live on Monday (11^th February) for organisations to register the opportunities they have available.

For the past few months companies have been expressing an interest in being part of the unique service which will link businesses with the right young people and help them gain employment or skills.

So far more than 100 businesses, including the county council, have signed up and confirmed their commitment to helping keep our talent in Gloucestershire.

Now the website is about to go live, the council is encouraging anyone who hasn’t already signed up to visit the website and pledge their support.

When registering, businesses will be asked to confirm what type of opportunities they actually have available, whether it’s for work experience, an apprenticeship or employment.

Organisations will have three weeks before we take www.yes2jobs.co.uk to schools and colleges and contacts can start to be made.

Companies that register will have the chance to influence the quality of young people preparing for the world of work.

There will be opportunities to build links with local schools and colleges and help to attract leavers into jobs which should reduce recruitment costs.

It could also save money as students will provide fresh perspectives, as well as providing an additional cost effective resource.

Cllr Mark Hawthorne, Leader of Gloucestershire County Council, said: “So far we’ve seen a huge amount of interest from businesses who are interested in supporting this scheme.

“They, like the county council, are keen to keep our talent here in Gloucestershire and to do that we need to create the right opportunities for them to stay.

“I would urge any business that thinks it may have something to offer, whether it’s a week’s work experience, an apprenticeship right up to a full time job, to register on www.yes2jobs.co.uk.

“Once we start linking opportunities with young people at the end of the month, I am confident this scheme will make a big difference.”

For more information about the county council’s Youth Employment and Skills campaign visit www.gloucestershire.gov.uk/grow.