Pictured above: Employment experts from Pertemps People Development Group's team in Staffordshire celebrate transforming the lives of 1,000 jobseekers under the Flexible New Deal initiative

The lives of more than 1,000 jobseekers across Staffordshire have been transformed thanks to the support of employment experts and companies who are giving local jobs to local people.

People in Stoke, Cannock, Tamworth and Burton-on-Trent have bucked the trend of company closures and redundancies by clinching new jobs after periods of unemployment sometimes stretching back years.

Their success is down to their own hard work and determination to get back into employment along with the support of an important Government-funded Welfare to Work initiative.

The Flexible New Deal (FND), delivered by Pertemps People Development Group (PPDG), recently smashed through the milestone of 1,000 Staffordshire people into work in under a year despite the tough economic climate causing redundancies across the UK.

Among the many success stories in Stoke is Jason Smith, who had been unemployed for more than a year when he first walked into the PPDG offices in Burslem. Following an intensive programme of tailored support he was offered two jobs on the same day. He is now thriving at Elmfield Training in Newcastle-under-Lyme. Jason, aged 20, from Stoke, recently celebrated more than six months working at the company and has moved positions to improve his future career prospects.

While among the many success stories in Tamworth is Diane Berry, who had been unemployed for 18 months when she first walked into the PPDG offices in the town. Following an intensive programme of tailored support Diane, aged 59, increased in confidence and began to challenge herself and started cold calling care providers. During one call she established that there was a vacancy that hadn't been advertised. She was invited for interview and was offered a job at a care home, utilising her experience and qualifications.

PPDG delivers Flexible New Deal in Staffordshire, Warwickshire, Worcestershire, Herefordshire and Shropshire. The Government-funded initiative was launched in October last year and aims to provide long-term unemployed people with tailored support and access to local job opportunities.

PPDG's team of experienced employment experts works alongside jobseekers and local employers to match the most suitable applicants to the jobs that are available. Support for customers includes advice on CVs, improving interview techniques, increasing confidence, providing access to training and much more.

PPDG regional operations director Kate Darcy said: "These are fantastic examples of how Flexible New Deal is having a major positive impact on the people of Staffordshire and across the Midlands who find themselves out of work largely due to the tough economic conditions.

"We are keen to link up with more employers in each of our areas across the region who, like us, are committed to helping local communities tackle the economic challenges facing them and support the growth and regeneration of these communities by getting local people into sustainable employment." Employers are invited to contact employer engagement manager Chris Hassall on 07739 677196.

Kate added: "Finding employment can be a daunting challenge, and sadly it is one that many people find too difficult to overcome. That is why it is more important than ever that people take advantage of the invaluable support that is available to jobseekers through Flexible New Deal."

Of the 1039 Staffordshire people accessing employment, 569 live in Stoke, 225 in Cannock, 154 in Tamworth and 91 in Burton-on-Trent.

PPDG's team of employment experts provide advice on benefits, confidence building, one-to-one support, CV and interview preparation as well as finding the right job or training course. In partnership with DWP, the Ministry of Justice and Jobcentre Plus, PPDG delivers a diverse range of employment and training initiatives including Flexible New Deal, Working Neighbourhoods Fund, Learndirect and many ESF funded programmes.

More than 100,000 job seekers have been helped into sustained employment by the company since the projects began. It has trained 130,000 people in vocational skills, and over 175,000 people have benefitted from professional information, advice and guidance services.