The Office of National Statistics recently revealed that 13.4 per cent of 16 to 24-year-olds are now unemployed.

This comes some months after the government announced they would pay employers £1,000 for each trainee they provide a work placement for, and that traineeships are also now available to those with a qualification of Level 3 and below.

These changes were put in place to encourage businesses to hire trainees, enabling more young people to take part and build a better future.

This month, Somerset Skills and Learning (SS&L) have transformed their traineeship scheme into a unique new offer to make traineeships more appealing to young people across Somerset.

The new framework consists of two key areas - financial incentives for trainees and specialist certifications and training.

To support the government's employer incentives, young people aged 16 to 18, who start a traineeship with SS&L before December 31 2020, can earn up to £500 depending on household income.

Historically, traineeship work placements have been unpaid. This pioneering offer also gives young people the chance to specialise in a work sector that interests them or build their own traineeship with the support of SS&L.

SS&L's new work sector specific traineeships are available in admin, care, childcare, customer service, digital skills, retail and schools, as well as a universal traineeship where the trainee can choose their specialism and have their course tailored for them.

They want to support young people to follow their dreams and focus on an area of work that interests them, gaining the qualifications and work experience employers are looking for.

Tom Collins, the delivery manager for traineeships at SS&L, said: "With the national focus of getting young people into work, SS&L have launched a new traineeship offer combining a choice in traineeship subject area, alongside a financial bonus scheme to support the trainee with their living expenses.

"Traineeships have become a valued route to enable young people to progress into education, employment or an apprenticeship and we are proud to be able to offer this exciting and innovative new scheme to young people in Somerset."

The programme is aimed at those aged 16 to 24 years old, or 25 years old with an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP).

SS&L are a leading provider of traineeships, having supported more than 600 trainees since traineeships began in 2013.

Their trainees have also won Trainee of the Year five years in a row at the Grow Somerset Talent Awards. Many of the trainees have gone on to an apprenticeship, full-time work or studied further.

For more details about the new traineeship scheme, visit www.sslcourses.co.uk/about/news/new-traineeship-programme/ or call 0330 332 7997 to discuss further.