More than 400 long-term unemployed people in the Black Country have won jobs with local firms
Apr 29 2010 by Chris Henwood, Birmingham Mail
MORE than 400 long-term unemployed people in the Black Country have won jobs with local firms thanks to support and advice from welfare-to-work provider A4e.
The job hunters had all been out of work for more than 12 months and were the first local “graduates” of the Flexible New Deal (FND) programme – a new, back-to-work initiative launched across the UK in October last year. Since then, 416 local, formerly long-term unemployed, people have found work after being referred to A4e’s offices in High Street, West Bromwich, Wolverhampton Street, Dudley and Stafford Street, Wolverhampton.
Black Country businesses which have filled vacancies under the FND scheme include construction and security companies, manufacturers, automotive supply businesses and retailers including major companies such as Chubb and Morrisons.
“Black Country businesses taking staff on through FND face no recruitment costs or commission and are assured of highly-committed and talented individuals able to make an immediate positive contribution,” said West Bromwich A4e manager Graham Wiggall.
Times remain tough for both firms and job hunters at the moment but jobs are out there and we are seeing some real opportunities develop locally. Our customers have been out of work for a long period, but with dedication and the right support, people are finding the confidence to return to work.”
A4e is running FND programmes across five regions of England and Scotland, including the Black Country. Over the first six months, nearly 30,000 people nationwide have been directed to A4e to receive individual, one-to-one support.
Under the scheme, people unemployed for a year or more receive up to 18 months of personalised support, advice and guidance including mentoring once in work.
Wolverhampton A4e’s Julie Kendrick said: “The majority of people who have come to us are still in the process of becoming work-ready, but the success of those who started with us back at the onset of FND shows it can be done.”
