More than 200 temporary jobs for young jobless people are to be created in the Highlands as a result of a successful bid by The Highland Council to the UK Government's Future Jobs Fund.
Of the 313 Scottish jobs approved by the Department of Work and Pensions in a fifth round of funding, 203 are to be created in the Highlands at a cost of £1.3 million.
The bid will see the Council engaging young people - aged 18 - 24 - in a phased way between February 2010 and September 2011.
The range of jobs includes waste management assistants, grounds maintenance trainees, street cleaning operatives, social care workers, countryside rangers, building operatives and clerical assistants.
Up to £6,500 will be available for each post qualifying. The minimum requirements are that jobs should be for 6 months, at least 25 hours per week and paid at the national minimum wage. Sponsors, such as the council, are encouraged to add value to the project through provision of additional resources. Recruitment to posts will be through Job Centre Plus advertising vacancies and by nomination from employment advisors.
As part of the funding bid, a manager is to be engaged to oversee the project.
Councillor Carolyn Wilson, Chairman of The Highland Council's Resources Committee, warmly welcomed the UK Government's announcement.
She said: "This is wonderful news for young unemployed people in the Highlands. My congratulations go to the team that presented the bid for funding. To attract funding for two-thirds of the new jobs in Scotland is a real feather in our cap."
Councillor Ian Ross, Chairman of the Council's Planning Environment and Development Committee, said the project plan proposed recruitment, placement and induction of between 30 and 40 new employees each month. "Each trainee will be offered assistance in developing a personal action plan, training and job seeking assistance through the programme."
John Dennison, District Manager for Job Centre Plus in Highland said "We are delighted that The Highland Council has been successful in its bid and we will be working closely with them to fill these vacancies. The jobs being created will offer our clients between 18-24 years old real jobs and training that will bring benefits to the local community."