Pictured above: Three Valleys Housing apprentices (from left) Ryan Scarisbrick, Aaron Neasham, James Shaw, Josh August, and Rob Perry

Young unemployed people are being given a helping hand to get back on the employment ladder thanks to Three Valleys Housing.

The Long Eaton-based housing provider has employed five people under 24, through a government initiative to upskill young people who have been unemployed for a year, and long-term unemployed people, to help them into the job market.

Three Valleys Housing received funding from the Future Jobs Fund, which was a Labour government scheme aiming to create 170,000 jobs across the UK by generating paid work placements to benefit communities.

Five six-month placements are Aaron Neasham and Josh August, who are working in the repairs department, and grounds maintenance placements James Shaw, Robert Perry and Ryan Scarisbrick. They are from Ilkeston, Chaddesden and Long Eaton.

Twenty-year-old Aaron Neasham, from Chaddesden, said: "I was really pleased to get the placement with Three Valleys Housing. It is giving me the opportunity to learn new skills which hopefully will help me to get a permanent job once my placement ends.

"I am really enjoying working in the repairs department as I am getting to meet new people, including tenants, and it is varied so everyday is different."

Property Services Manager for Three Valleys Housing Tony Giacobbe said: "We are really keen to identify and develop local talent. We have opportunities within the business for apprentices and are keen to help boost employment within local communities.

"The Future Jobs Fund allowed us to take on five local unemployed young people and their experience with us will allow them to learn new skills that will hopefully allow them to access employment opportunities they would otherwise have not had."