Chloe SmithMP for Norwich North
Chloe Smith
Chloe Smith, Member of Parliament for Norwich North, on Tuesday 25th November 2014, was awarded the title of ‘Youth Friendly MP 2014' by Youth Employment UK in recognition of her work with the ‘Norwich For Jobs’ Project.
Youth Employment UK CIC is a membership and campaigning organisation that works across the UK. Membership consists of individuals aged 16-24 as well as employers, and training and youth organisations. Youth Employment UK works to tackle the barriers young people face in gaining employment.
The Minister for Skills, Nick Boles MP, presented Chloe with her award on Tuesday 25th November as part of an awards ceremony that showcased individuals that have gone over and above the call to help YEUK in its mission to reduce youth unemployment.
Chloe founded and chairs the ‘Norwich For Jobs’ Project in partnership with Norwich JobCentre Plus, City College Norwich, Archant, The Norfolk Chamber of Commerce and Howes Percival LLP. The project, which aimed at its outset to reduce youth unemployment in Norwich by January 2015, achieved its aim in quick time because it has worked with employers to create over 1,000 paid jobs and apprenticeships for people aged 18-24 in Norwich. Chloe has helped Norwich beat its youth unemployment faster than elsewhere in the country, and receives the award for ‘Youth Friendly MP’ in acknowledgement of her work on behalf of young people in Norwich to get their voice heard.
This is the second award for the Norwich For Jobs team, after gaining a Grassroots Diplomat Award earlier in 2014.
Chloe comments: "I am very proud to pick up this award for the Norwich For Jobs project, and it is another award that reflects on the team's hard work. Having been elected at a historic young age, I am passionate about encouraging other young people to make a difference in their community and their country, and that's what it means to me to be the country's most youth friendly MP."
Laura-Jane Rawlings CEO of YEUK said “Youth unemployment has been a major challenge in the UK for a long-time. The youth unemployment figures are slowly decreasing and this is good news for young people and the economy, although there is still work to do. We see a lot of excellent examples of young people and employers working hard to create opportunities and stem the bleed of youth unemployment. This event is a celebration of just some of that excellent practice and commitment.
Creating a Youth Friendly culture in the UK is part of our work and we are delighted that Plotr, the Skills Minister and our other partners are able to support this work by joining the celebration.”
Nick Boles MP said “I am so pleased to be here today to celebrate all the people who go that extra mile to help young people move in to successful careers. For our long-term economic plan to work, it’s vital to build bridges between the world of work and education.
“That’s why I’m calling employers across the country to follow the lead of those honoured today and take an active role on developing the workforce of the future.”