Pictured above: Tom Bentley and Trevor Price of Derwent
Living
Derwent Living is helping unemployed people to get back on their
feet by giving them the chance to join its workforce through the
government's Future Jobs Fund.
The Derby-based housing provider has employed 24-year-old Tom
Bentley as an environmental project assistant, on a six month
contract.
The Future Jobs Fund aims to support the creation of jobs for
long term unemployed young people and others who face disadvantages
when searching the current job market.
Funding from the scheme is helping Groundwork and the National
Housing federation to work alongside the Department of Work &
Pensions to break the 'no experience, no work' cycle. By creating
over 2,000 jobs nationally, the project is giving young people the
opportunity to learn new skills, boost their confidence and gain
experience in emerging 'green collar' sectors.
Opportunities will be created for people to develop careers in
housing and regeneration and more specifically roles in emerging
economic sectors. The Future Jobs Fund will help to ensure that
areas where Derwent Living residents live are cleaner, safer and
greener.
Tom graduated with a masters in environmental science and
applied biology in 2008 from Nottingham University and had been
struggling to find work for some time. The young graduate had
signed up to the job centre to get some extra help with his job
hunting.
Tom said: "Because I had been looking for a job for six months,
I was assigned a personal advisor to give me some advice on what I
should do next. They pointed me in the direction of Derwent Living
and the position that was being advertised through the Future Jobs
Fund. I thought it sounded really interesting so I applied."
In his role Tom works closely with the environmental projects
officer Trevor Price, in delivering a range of environmental
initiatives to help customers to reduce energy usage and save money
on their energy bills.
Tom continues: "I have been in the role for a couple of months
now and I am really enjoying it. It has given me some really good
experience as the role is really varied and I have more
responsibility than I thought I would have. I think the concept of
the fund is great idea. I was at a point where I was starting to
think I would never find a role. This job is now giving me the
practical skills I need to start applying for other roles."
This is the first role that Derwent Living has created through
the fund and the housing provider is also seeking further funding
for similar positions.
Christine Smith, community regeneration officer at Derwent
Living said: "We have been really impressed with Tom and he has
settled in brilliantly. The role in question is an important one as
it is helping our residents to make their homes more
environmentally friendly.
"The investment in young people in the region, like Tom, means
that we are helping to leave a lasting legacy in the community and
by training people in these types of roles, we are helping to
create communities that are cleaner and greener. Young people who
learn here will also be able to use their skills developed here for
decades to come."
For more information on Derwent Living, view their website here:
www.derwentliving.com