ETEC Development Trust


FIRST OF OVER 300 JOBS CREATED FOR YOUNG PEOPLE IN SUNDERLAND
Eight young people have found employment with the help of Sunderland City Council and its partners’ Future Job Fund commitment. The Future Jobs Fund is a government employment programme which aims to create jobs for long-term unemployed people, particularly for those aged 18-24. The council will manage over £2 million of funding from the Department of Work and Pensions which will pay for over 300 six month posts with local employers by March 2010. ETEC, the training and development company based in Sunderland, is part of the city’s Future Jobs Fund partnership and is the first employer to have interviewed candidates, creating eight jobs as a result. Jim Nesbitt, Future Jobs Fund manager for Etec, said: "The calibre and enthusiasm of the young people was extremely encouraging, I’ve no doubt the extra help will be invaluable as we look to work with the group to develop their skills and knowledge and to enhance their future job prospects." The successful candidates were identified by Jobcentre Plus as being out of work for over 39 weeks and encouraged to apply for the roles. Interviews took place in late October and the young people started their new roles in November. Councillor Charlton, the Council’s Portfolio holder for Prosperous City, added: "Sunderland City Council is committed to helping its residents into work and Future Jobs Fund is a great example of many organisations across the city working together to create a real win-win situation. As well as the beneficiaries being able to gain valuable work experience, the employers that are supporting the	programme can make use of the skills and enthusiasm that these new employees will bring with them. I am delighted that the positions at ETEC have been filled so quickly." The council’s involvement in Future Jobs Fund is part of a Tyne and Wear City Region programme which is seeking to create 3,450 jobs before March 2011 through £22 million of funding. Other employers supporting the programme in Sunderland include City Hospitals Sunderland, Gentoo and Sunderland AFC, with work ongoing to create further roles for young people in the near future. Councillor Iain Malcolm, Chair of Tyne and Wear City Region board, said: "The creation of jobs for young people as part of Department of Work and Pension’s Future Jobs Fund initiative is an innovative way of supporting young people to continue to develop their skills and career development. The seven Local Authorities partnered in the City Region will ensure a consistent and quality approach is in place to maximise the public sector support available. The creation of 3 450 jobs in the City Region provides an investment in the infrastructure for a sustainable future." Nathan Graham, 18, from the Millfield area of Sunderland, was one of the successful candidates. He said: "It's been difficult to find work because I haven't got much experience, so to be given an opportunity like this - I can't wait to gain lots of new skills and I'm sure this will prove invaluable to my CV and future career prospects." For more information on the Future Jobs Fund visit www.dwp.gov.uk/futurejobsfund