Staffing agency Randstad has agreed to help 10,000 unemployed youngsters find work over the next five weeks, Nos television reports.

The deal has been signed between Randstad and Mirjam Sterk, who was charged in April by the government to spearhead efforts to cut youth unemployment.

The official jobless rate among the under-25s is currently 17%, or 148,000 people. In particular, youngsters who have just left college are finding it difficult to get a foot on the employment ladder, Nos said.

Randstad is the second biggest staffing agency in the world and will target its Dutch client network to find the jobs.