Birmingham commission to get young people into work
A jobs commission has been set up by Birmingham City Council in a bid to tackle youth unemployment.
The city is one of six across England which is being awarded extra powers and funding by the government.
It has one of the worst rates of youth unemployment in the country, with more than 2,500 young people on jobseeker's allowance for more than a year.
The Birmingham Youth Unemployment Commission will bid for a share of a £100m fund.
Council Leader Sir Albert Bore said the commission would bring together local employers, colleges and voluntary groups.
He said: "It is simply the fact that if a young person gets from 16 to 24 years old without skills and employment then there is every chance that they will join those long-term unemployed, unable to help themselves and our economy.
"And we all need to make Birmingham a powerful engine of employment and entrepreneurism."