A NEW scheme worth 75 million pounds Welsh Government scheme will create 4,000 jobs a year in Wales for the next three years, the First Minister of Wales Carwyn Jones has announced.

Starting in April next year, Jobs Growth Wales will create 4,000 new job opportunities a year across Wales for unemployed young people, aged 16-24, for a six-month period.

Mr Jones said: Jobs Growth Wales is a flagship policy in our commitment to boost economic growth and jobs in Wales.

Not only will this scheme create opportunities for unemployed young people, who have suffered more than most in the recession, but these posts will also be new jobs, helping Welsh businesses to expand.

Participants will be paid at or above the National Minimum Wage for a minimum of 25 hours per week. The programme will cater for those that are job ready but cant find employment. It will be funded by s25m per year over the term of government.

Minister for Education and Skills, Leighton Andrews, today gave AMs details of the scheme and announced a pilot to test the scheme ahead of its start next year.

The current financial climate has led to the emergence of a growing number of 16-24 year olds who have fallen outside work or education, he said.

Jobs Growth Wales will enable individuals to gain good quality work experience to progress into sustained employment or where appropriate an apprenticeship.

It is envisaged that the majority of jobs will be generated within the private sector, although there will also be some available within the public and voluntary sectors. Businesses that take part in the scheme will need to demonstrate that the jobs we support are new ones.