A new Hub offering youth employment support has launched as a one-stop shop for 16-24 year olds who’ve been affected by Covid.

Pendle’s new Yes Hub, which launched last week, offers young people access to training, work placements, learning and skills development as well as health and wellbeing activities.

Leader of Pendle Council, Councillor Mohammed Iqbal MBE, said last week: “We’ve secured a year’s funding from the Department of Work and Pensions for this exciting new initiative.

“The pandemic has had a huge impact on young people and the new Yes Hub will help people who’ve lost their jobs, or who are not involved in employment, education or training."

The Yes Hub will operate as a virtual online hub during Covid-19 restrictions, but later it will also operate as an actual Hub in the former Training and Apprenticeship Centre on Scotland Road in Nelson town centre, and there will be outreach into the local community.

Councillor Iqbal added: “This isn’t a one-size fits all service for young people.

“It will offer a tailor-made solutions designed to help individuals improve their confidence and their ability to get employment.

“And that includes young graduates who’ve left university at a time when it’s hard to get started on a career path."

Darren Wright operations manager at Active Lancashire said the Hub had been developed through a partnership between Pendle Council, Active Lancashire, Job Centre Plus, Lancashire Adult Learning and Nelson and Colne College, with Active Lancashire running the service.

Cumbria and Lancashire service leader for the DWP, Carla Passarello, said: “Entering the world of work can be a daunting prospect for young people, even without the difficulties caused by Covid.

“The steps we take to support our 16 to 24 year olds will be vital to the future of the local economy and the Hub will be an integral part of the local community.”

Mims Davies MP, Minister for Employment, said: “By rolling out Youth Hubs across local communities like this one in Pendle, young people will be able to access vital, suitable support from our work coaches in a range of settings.

"Coaches will help to match them with local opportunities whether it’s more training or to help them move into employment.

“This is a challenging time and we are serious about investing in young people as we get Britain back working again and moving further into recovery.

“That’s why, as part of our Youth Offer, we are also injecting £2billion into the DWP Kickstart scheme, creating new, subsidised, high-quality roles for under 25s as we continue our work to protect, support and create jobs."

Councillor Iqbal added: “This new project is not being launched as a quick fix.

“The Yes Hub will be included in the Nelson Town Deal funding bid to secure its long term future for young people in Pendle.”

Young people interested in using the virtual service should email PendleYesHub@activelancashire.org.uk