The ideas keep coming from Huw

Lewis keeps his focus firmly on improving the economy and life chances

Speaking to the Fairbridge charity on Monday afternoon, Huw will stress: “The work being done by Fairbridge, and other charities right across Wales, provides a vital lifeline for many young people who risk otherwise becoming disconnected – not just from the economy, but society at large. There are three key things I want to do to help support the work they are doing.”

“The Dignity Programme I want to introduce is about a new way of giving support to vulnerable young people and their families. Bringing agencies together – charities, health visitors, debt advisors, social workers – to work proactively in our communities we will be able to save families from crisis before it happens. That wrap-around team approach has proved successful in pilot projects – the recession and rising unemployment demands we turn pilots that work into all-Wales programmes.

“Secondly, I want to introduce a Career Ladders scheme. This will give individualised support to people in entry-level jobs, so that they can – with help – develop their own learning programmes and develop new skills. Again pilot projects have shown this works, particularly in the NHS where some cleaners have been trained up to become qualified nurses. The Public Sector in Wales, working with trade unions, need to lead the way on this – but, we should also offer incentives for local businesses to sign up to a “good work guarantee”.

“Finally, we need to use our schools better. The majority of schools in Wales are designated “community schools”, but we still haven’t given that label real value in many instances. School buildings are generally welcoming, pupils and parents are used to spending time in and around school grounds – so we should use them as a base for much more community activity. I would be happy for example to turn schools over to charities like Fairbridge outside of term time, so they can run education, engagement and skills programmes from there, in the heart of Welsh communities.”

More joined up thinking from the Lewis camp.