Kick-off for jobs scheme

THE Government has pledged to fund 200 new jobs for unemployed youngsters at Football League clubs.

Every one of the 72 clubs in the Championship, League One and League Two — including Oldham Athletic — is to recruit up to three new staff as part of the £1 billion Future Jobs Fund.

Another 2,000 positions are to be created in community sports, giving the young unemployed the chance to learn coaching and training skills.

Work and Pensions Secretary Yvette Cooper made the announcement yesterday at the TUC conference in Liverpool to demonstrate how Labour is helping people through the recession.

But it appears football clubs have yet to be consulted as Latics chiefs said they were not aware of the scheme.

Ms Cooper said: “We are creating more jobs to give young people a sporting chance in a tough jobs market.

“The sports jobs will give thousands of young people a kick start in their career. We will not abandon people in these tough times.”

The jobs are among 150,000 set up under the Future Jobs Fund.

Youngsters can apply for the positions only when they have been unemployed for 10 months.