A recruitment agency boss says young people are missing out on job opportunities with top companies.

Sharon Sewell is business development officer for Medway City Estate-based IPS International.

She is "astonished" to find she still has 100 traineeships and apprenticeships in a wide sector of careers up for grabs

This is even more perplexing as the Towns have higher than national average for youth unemployment.

Mrs Sewell is hosting a traineeship open day on Monday at the Dockside Outlet Centre in Chatham.

Experts will be on hand to advise potential candidates of opportunities between 9am and 3pm.

IPS works with sectors including business skills, construction, property maintenance, vehicle maintenance, engineering and adult care.

Among its partners are Rochester-based BAE Systems, Southern Water and Southeastern.

She said: "I'm finding this so frustrating. Young people are missing out in getting into a wide variety of jobs.

"Currently there is a lack of awareness among 19-24 year-olds of the employability opportunities open to them.

"IPS share our traineeship opportunities with job centres and partners, but there has been little uptake."

Mrs Sewell added: "Building up confidence among young people at this particular time is crucial.

"Some come from families where their parents are also not working.

"The aim is to to help support candidates who are looking to build their employability skills and to find employment on an apprenticeship."

Reflecting on why the message might not be getting through, she speculated it could be down to the government's Kickstart Scheme.

This is aimed at 16 to 24-year-olds on universal credit who are at risk of long-term unemployment.

She thinks job centres are channelling youngsters to this scheme, but it has no guarantee of a job at the end.

"Some come from families where their parents are also not working"

"IPS have many employers wanting to use traineeships as a 'work trial' with an aim to employ apprentices once they complete their work placement," she added .

"The uptake from employers to offer work experience has been impressive, there is such enthusiasm from employers wishing to bring new talent into their business and help support their recovery from the current economic challenges.

"Employers see the traineeship as a positive opportunity for them and candidates to see if the work trial suits them both.

IPS also advertise Apprenticeships in the sectors mentioned, these are for anyone aged 16 years and over.

Anyone interested, visit Dockside near The Range, no appointment necessary.

For more on traineeships, visit the IPS website and for details on apprenticeships, click here.

Employers can claim £1,000 for each trainee they offer a work placement to and £3,000 for every apprentice they employ.

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