Youth unemployment in Darlington is higher than the national and regional average.
New figures show the claimant count for 18-24 year olds in May stood at 6.9 per cent.
That is higher than the North East average of 5.9 per cent and the national average of 5.1 per cent.
However, Darlington’s figures are the lowest in the Tees Valley with Hartlepool top at 8.7 per cent.
Darlington Borough Council says it is part of a Tees Valley-wide programme to encourage economically inactive people towards employment, focusing on early retirees, looking after the family or home, or short-term sick.
A previous Darlington Youth Employment Initiative (YEI) programme supported young people aged 16-29 not in education or employment to move into training and work. More than 1,300 people were supported between May 2016-July 2023, with a 98 per cent success rate of people finding employment or training.
However, it closed in March after staff were told its funding would not be continued. Darlington Borough Council was warned people would suffer and “fall through the cracks” following the closure, but an alternative programme launched in April.
Meanwhile, the Darlington Employment Initiative operates from Bennet House in the town centre.
Recommended reading:
- Plans for Uber to operate in Darlington under consideration
- Darlington danger driver jailed after hitting four pensioners at 80mph
- Reeves says Labour fully committed to Darlington Economic Campus on first day at site
Councillor Nick Wallis, cabinet member for children’s services, said: “The project only started in April 2024, but has already worked with 58 participants and moved 24 of those into employment, which is a really good early outcome. At present, the funding is channelled through the Tees Valley Combined Authority and runs up to March 31, 2025.
“The council has also been working with Darlington College, Project Search and Amazon to develop a Supported Internship for young people with special educational needs. The Supported Internship programme gives the young person 12 months of work experience with an employer, with support from a dedicated on-site job coach. The first cohort is due to start in September 2024.”
The May 2024 figures for the Tees Valley were:
- a) Hartlepool 8.7%
- b) Redcar and Cleveland 7.7%
- c) Middlesbrough 7.8%
- d) Stockton -on-Tees 7.7%
- e) Darlington 6.9%
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel