Scheme aims to stop rural migration

Scheme aims to stop rural migration

Get on in Gwynedd was set up by the local authority

A scheme aimed at stemming the flow of young people from north west Wales in search of better jobs elsewhere has received a £450,000 boost.

The Get On In Gwynedd scheme was set up to encourage young people to develop business ventures in their native county.

The programme was launched following a conference last year to promote the opportunities available in Gwynedd and discuss barriers facing young people who want to stay in their own communities.

Now the Welsh Assembly Government has announced the extra funding, on top of £120,000 already put forward by the local authority.

We want to equip these young people with the tools to develop local enterprise so that they have an opportunity to stay in their own communities

Iwan Trefor Jones, Gwynedd council

The boost has been welcomed by members of local young farmers clubs who are helping to shape the project.

Iwan Meirion Williams from Tal y Bont near Harlech became involved as a member of the Meirionnydd Young Farmers club.

The 21-year-old forestry studies student has set up his own timber business at home.

He said: "I was helped by a local business and enterprise organisation.

"Without that financial and practical help it simply would not have happened.

"I hope the Get On scheme will do the same - it will certainly be a boost to help people stay in the area," he added.

Iwan Jones: wants to provide local business support

Iwan Trefor Jones, the council's assistant director, says they want to create a spirit of enterprise among the young people of Gwynedd.

He said: "We want to equip these young people with the tools to develop local enterprise so that they have an opportunity to stay in their own communities.

"The aim is to ensure there is a clear structure to enable young people to find support locally."

Gwynedd Economic Partnership has drawn up five practical steps to deliver the programme.

They include giving scholarships to pupils to develop projects in their school holidays and bursaries for those already in work.

Career building

Staff who want to improve their employment prospects would be given financial help to follow managerial courses.

Mr Jones said there were not enough managerial posts available to young people.

A project run in conjunction with the business school at Bangor University would also look at developing business ideas in schools.

Four schools in Gwynedd are to take part in the pilot scheme: Ysgol Glan y Môr, Pwllheli; Ysgol Botwnnog; Ysgol y Berwyn, y Bala; and Ysgol Eifionydd, Porthmadog.

Council chief executive Geraint R Jones said: "In October we had successful conference that attracted a large audience of young people.

"This is a programme to tackle young people's needs and is a practical way of supporting young people build careers for themselves in Gwynedd."