A £75 million scheme to get more young unemployed people into work has surpassed its annual job creation target by 50% - Welsh Government officials have said.

Jobs Growth Wales aims to boost the prospects of job seekers aged between 16 and 24 by providing them with six months paid work experience.

The scheme runs for three years and saw ministers draw up an initial target of finding placements for 4,000 people every 12 months.

But one year after its launch, deputy skills minister, Caerphilly AM Jeff Cuthbert said that figure was now closer to 6,000.

During a visit to Cardiff-based IT firm Vista Retail Services today, Mr Cuthbert said: "It's very encouraging that Jobs Growth Wales is playing such a positive role in giving young people valuable career opportunities and helping companies to grow.

"Early data indicates that those completing the full six-month opportunity have an extremely high chance of sustaining employment.

"The number of progressions onto apprenticeships is also very promising.

"Reducing youth unemployment is one of the Welsh Government's top priorities and Jobs Growth Wales is playing a major part in this.’’