THE upper age limit for a £1,500 grant to help develop new skills is being extended to 25.
The money is now available to people aged from 16 to 25 who either want to develop an existing career or change direction completely.
Previously, the Skills Credit’s upper age limit was 19.
The £1,500 per year grant is funded by the Training and Employment Partnership to encourage young people to train to get a job.
The age range has been extended in response to the latest labour market statistics which show that this age group is finding it more difficult to get a job.
People can apply for the grant if they are not already in full-time education or receiving funding for training from another States department.
The funding may be used to access training outside of Jersey if a particular course is not available locally.
Andy Gibbs, of the Jersey Careers Service, which helps run the scheme, said: ‘We have found that a lot of people first start thinking seriously about their career in their early 20s, when some realise that their first job isn’t the one for them.
But money is often a barrier so this extension of the Skills Credit will fill that gap.
‘The scheme has already helped a number of individuals to obtain qualifications to develop their career, including courses in personal fitness, Royal Yachting Association awards, equine studies in the UK and helping someone train to become a pilot.
‘Making this assistance available to a wider age range can only prove beneficial not only to the individuals themselves but also to the Island.
People interested in applying for the grant should make an appointment with the Careers Service or at the Employment and Social Security Work Zone.
More information is also available from school careers teachers.
Article posted on 3rd July, 2004 - 12.00am
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