Almost 50 new jobs are being created for young people by the Isle of Wight Council.

The 45 new recruits will join 11 young people who have already been successful in finding employment at the council through the Kickstart programme.

The council has announced a range of new jobs for Island young people currently on Universal Credit.

Paid at up to £8.91 an hour, each job is for 25 hours a week and lasts six months.

The jobs come with a full programme of training and support, including computer working, interview skills, and mental health and wellbeing.

One of the new staff, working at a local school, has been inspired to train to become a teacher. Another has been taken on with extra hours to do work for WightCare.

New employee Jade has already started work as a project co-ordination assistant.

She said: “Since starting two months ago, my confidence has skyrocketed.

"I'm developing new skills every day, and it's great to be able to challenge myself while knowing I have a supportive team there to guide me along the way.

"If it weren't for Kickstart I wouldn't have known a role like mine existed, but now I've already realised it is an area of work I really enjoy and would love to pursue a career within.”

Council kickstart co-ordinator Katy Harwood explained: "After Covid, and with furlough coming to an end, we know that some young Islanders are struggling to find good jobs.

"So we have set up a lot of new jobs which cover many areas of our work, from media and communications through to adult social care.

"These are actual jobs with training and work experience on offer — and we pay a real wage too.

"We encourage all our new young employees to join the Duke of Edinburgh scheme, and we will pay half the cost for them to do it.

"We've also created an online training area where our new staff members will gain valuable new skills, employability training to building good work habits and learning about good mental health and wellbeing."

The jobs are for people on Universal Credit and Katy suggested anyone interested should speak with their work coach at Jobcentre Plus.

Chris Jarman, councillor responsible for resources, said: "The Kickstart programme is an excellent opportunity for employers to provide young Islanders with a gateway into productive employment.

"We want to inspire more young Islanders to consider a career working in public service and with eleven enthusiastic new staff already working for us, we're off to a great start.

Julie Jones-Evans, councillor for regeneration, added: "The Kickstart programme is a big part of our plan to help the Island's economy recover from Covid-19.

"I hope other employers will take advantage of the scheme, and offer these positive and timely opportunities to our young people."