Two job seekers have moved into employment at South Shropshire Furniture Scheme in Ludlow, via a new initiative through Jobcentre Plus and Country Training. 

The Government's Future Jobs Fund initative helps to create jobs for those aged 18 - 24 who have been unemployed for over six months, assisting them in moving into sustainable employment.

Through this scheme, two vacancies were created at registered charity South Shropshire Furniture Scheme; one position in a customer service role and the other in a warehousing role. County Training, part of Shropshire Council are working alongside South Shropshire Furniture Scheme to provide funding for the first six months of employment.

Gill Green, Training and Development Manager at the charity, commented "Through this initiative we have been able to create two roles that enables us to fulfil our needs as a charity and social enterprise. Both of the individuals that have started with us are a real asset to our team here."

Tim Stevens, 20, from Ludlow, is one of the job seekers who benefited from the newly created vacancies, and now works as a Warehouse Assistant.

Tim commented "I had been out of work for 12 months and really wanted the opportunity to gain sustainable employment. This scheme has funded the creation of a new post , providing me with paid work which has had a really positive effect on my life."

Pictured above: Tim Stevens and Gill Green, Training and Development Manager at South Shropshire Furniture Scheme

South Shropshire Furniture Scheme is a registered charity and social enterprise, which was started in 1994 in response to a need expressed by the community. They collect donated furniture and household items to deliver to people on low incomes living in South Shropshire. 

Councillor Stephen Charmley, Portfolio Holder for Culture and Leisure, commented "The funding available through this programme can really help to give individuals an opportunity of finding sustainable employment and can help employers in meeting their business requirements in a cost effective way."

Work and Pensions Secretary Yvette Cooper added: "I am pleased that South Shropshire Furniture Scheme has joined us in Backing Young Britain and has given these young people the chance of a job. The Government is guaranteeing every young person a job, training or work experience after six months unemployment. In the 80s youth unemployment kept rising for four years after the recession ended. We are investing in help now to make sure that will never happen again and a generation of talent isn't wasted."

If you are interested in the Future Jobs Fund and how this could assist your business, call County Training on 01743 255191.