THIRTY-FIVE new jobs for young people will be created in Dorset thanks to a new scheme which is being supported by holiday company Haven.

The Kickstart Scheme provides new job placements for 16 to 24-year-olds who are currently on Universal Credit and are at risk of long-term unemployment.

Within Haven there are 35 new job opportunities across food and beverage, retail, activities and leisure and HR roles available within the parks in the region.

Haven's parks locally include Weymouth Bay, Seaview and Littlesea in Weymouth.

READ MORE: Jobs at Haven holiday parks for 2021 season

Paul Flaum, chief executive of Haven's owner Bourne Leisure, said: "We understand how hard the pandemic has been for everyone, especially those trying to get into work. As a result of Covid, we have increased the number of roles we have available, particularly on our parks and resorts, and are now looking to recruit people to a number of these roles via the Kickstart programme."

All roles will be for a minimum of 25 hours a week over a six month placement period, providing applicants with a chance to gain a solid work training and experience to set them up for roles in the future.

In addition to the roles, Haven will provide each new recruit with a work coach and further skills training through lifetime training, a nationally recognised organisation who provide apprenticeship training and vocational courses.

Mr Flaum said: "While Kickstart will help young people get into employment, we want to ensure they are equipped to be able to continue their work journey beyond the initial placement, and we feel that providing them with additional skills training will help them to succeed."

Councillor Louie O'Leary, Dorset councillor representing the Littlemoor and Preston ward, is thrilled jobs will be created for young people in the community.

He said: "It is a great initiative and I fully welcome it. Lockdown has been terrible for Weymouth because we rely on a seasonal economy and so many young people get summer jobs to help take their first steps into employment and they couldn't do that last year. I would encourage any young people who fit the criteria to apply."

Mr Flaum added: "This is an exciting time to be part of the UK holiday industry but wherever their work journey takes them we believe this will provide the perfect kickstart to their future careers."

For more information on the roles, visit havencareers.co.uk/kickstart/