Manchester Labour

Prime Minister Gordon Brown met some of the people benefiting from Manchester City Council's commitment to creating opportunities for young people when he visited the City of Manchester stadium and Sportcity today, Thursday 18 March 2010.

Mr Brown praised the efforts of the Council and local businesses to help young people gain skills and valuable work experience through apprenticeships and the Future Jobs Fund.

He met six young people – including two apprentices from Manchester City Football Club (MCFC) and two Future Jobs Fun trainees with Manchester City Council's leisure service – on the pitch of the City of Manchester stadium.

Speaking to them, he said: "The Future Jobs Fund is making a real difference to young people's lives. Manchester has done so well to create these job opportunities."

Mr Brown told the two local young people placed with Manchester Leisure – 20-year-old Scott Casey from Openshaw and Ben Raftery, 18, from Gorton – that they should be proud of their achievements.

Scott said it was a bit nerve-racking meeting the PM, but added: "It was a great opportunity to share our experiences with him and talk about how much we are enjoying being on the scheme."

Ben added: "I've really benefited from being on the Future Jobs Fund. I've always wanted to work with children and this placement with Manchester Leisure has given me the opportunity to do that as well as get experience and qualifications."

Councillor Jim Battle, deputy leader of Manchester City Council, added: "The Prime Minister has seen how the regeneration of east Manchester is continuing and an important element of that is ensuring that young people can get the skills necessary to move into the jobs market.

"It is great to show the Prime Minister the excellent work that we have done, both as a council and in partnership with other organisations such as Manchester City Football Club, to provide top-class apprentices and provide excellent opportunities for young people with the Future Jobs Fund."