Three quarters of employers for youngsters under the Kickstart scheme in Suffolk are providing permanent roles for their new recruits, according to council data.

The Government Kickstart scheme aims to provide six-month employment opportunities for those aged 16-24 on Universal Credit who are at risk of long term unemployment.

It is understood more than 730 placements have been created across a range of industries in Suffolk, with 250 of those being delivered through the 'Gateway Partnership' comprising Suffolk County Council, Suffolk Chamber of Commerce, colleges and skills and training providers.

These included two for Nub News, with Fraser Clements now completing his six months and Amber Markwell still has almost six weeks left with the online news platform.

The duo have helped Hadleigh Nub News and Shotley peninsula Nub News become Google-ranked number one online news outlets, while Felixstowe Nub News continues to grow.

Buoyed by the knowledge and experience Fraser has gleaned covering the Hadleigh patch, in particular with his Up Close features, and live videos, Fraser is now looking to pursue a content writing career and follow his dream of getting into the film industry.

Amber, who has a first class English degree from Leicester University, has used her time to learn new writing, research and interview skills and is panning on going on to take a Masters degree at Leicester.

According to the county council – which is itself an employer of Kickstart recruits – 75% of Suffolk's employers have or are looking to provide permanent roles for their recruits.

Rachel Hood, county council cabinet member for education and skills, said: "The Kickstart scheme has provided many excellent employment opportunities for young people across the county with over 250 placements being filled via the Suffolk Gateway Partnership alone.

"Much credit should go to our local businesses who have responded so positively to the opportunity to create placements, as well as the young people themselves for proving how valuable an asset they can be, as indicated by over 75% of individuals being retained beyond the six month placement."

Funding is provided to employers to cover the wages of their recruits at minimum wage level for 25 hours per week, as well as additional support for development and training.

The Chamber of Commerce in Suffolk was one of a handful of chambers to help the Department for Work and Pensions on the ground work to set up the programme before the formal launch in the autumn of 2020.

Paul Simon from the Suffolk chamber said: "Since then, as part of the Suffolk Gateway Partnership, our role has been to promote the scheme, encourage local and regional businesses to sign up and then to work with our partners to help facilitate successful placements.

"The fact that Suffolk has punched above its weight both in terms of the number of placements approved and filled is another vindication of the Suffolk model of private/public sector collaboration and purposeful joint working.

"The tangible benefits of the Kickstart scheme to businesses and the young people involved are not just of academic interest to us.

"Suffolk Chamber is proud to have offered a six-month placement – now extended – to Muhammod Miah, a young man from Ipswich. We are very pleased with his contributions and hope that the experiences he has gained will stand him in good stead for the rest of his career."

The scheme has been extended to March this year.