Pictured above: (l-r) JET ambassador Lee Stotter, Councillor Mervin Smith and Chris Townsend

Members of a scheme that's helped dozens of Stoke-on-Trent's long-term unemployed get back into work - or into work for the first time ever - hit the city centre on Friday (October 29) to spread the word and show how it can help others.

With balloons, dancers, stalls, face painting and lots of fun - and blessed by unseasonally good weather - the event did have a serious side. It was aimed at anyone who's unemployed or who simply wanted to find out more about a scheme unique to Stoke-on-Trent to help the jobless into work. 

The event was held at Tontine Square, in the city centre, from 11am to 4pm and it gave people a chance to find out directly from employers exactly what they're looking for but also meet special "ambassadors" who've been through the scheme and so could explain what it's like.

JET (Jobs, Enterprise, Training) began in January 2009 as a Stoke-on-Trent City Council-backed scheme to help tackle Stoke-on-Trent's long-term unemployment problem with an innovative approach to recruitment that brings in training, employers and - most crucially of all - personal advisers offering constant back up and support.

Chris Townsend (20), was one of JET's ambassadors on hand on Friday and explained to several people just what a big difference JET had made to him: "Being with JET has been so good for my confidence. Before I went to JET, I had no idea how to write a CV, how to make it stand out. But they don't just help with that. They also help you with interview technique telling you, for example, never to answer a question with a 'Yes' or a 'No' but to give examples.

"There's a technique to job interviews and it really helps to be able to practise it before you go. They were really friendly and welcoming and I've recommended the scheme to lots of people - including my Dad!"

Chris now works as a landscape gardener - a job he loves. "You may think it's seasonal and it is to some extent. But with Christmas coming up lots of people want structures built in their gardens so we're really busy. I was originally taken on by S&W Landscape Services for two days a week. But most weeks I'm working at least three or four days.

"I'd heartily recommend anyone to give JET a go. What have you got to lose?"

Another JET ambassador giving advice and help on Friday was Lee Stottor, a 44-year-old single mother-of-three who had to give up work to look after her youngest when he was 12 and developed disabilities. Trying to return to work many years later was tough as she'd left school without any qualifications. She now works at Autonet as a customer adviser, a role from which she can progress into supervision and management. None of it possible without JET's help.

Lee explains: "I didn't even know how to do percentages! So the course JET sent me on before putting me forward for jobs was essential. It made all the difference. There was a two-hour interview with lots of tests at Autonet including role-play, a customer-service test and sorting out quotes. Without JET's help, l wouldn't have stood a chance.

"JET gives people in my kind of situation a second chance. What employer is going to take the time and trouble to teach you percentages? I think JET is brilliant. When I got the job at Autonet I couldn't stop crying I was so pleased. But the loveliest thing of all was that my JET adviser was just as excited as me! They really do care."

Councillor Mervin Smith, Stoke-on-Trent City Council cabinet member for city development, who attended the event, said: "This is an invaluable scheme which offers those who've been unemployed the chance to gain real training and experience to secure future employment. Many of JET's clients have been unemployed for a long time or in some cases have never had a job so finding employment can be a daunting task. 

"By working with its partners, JET has been able to provide a real opportunity to help the city's residents gain training and experience as well as the opportunity for a permanent position."

JET has now got 1,500 people into work via the kind of schemes that have helped Chris and Lee. For every person helped into work, at least three or four other people benefit - immediate family members, neighbours, friends and colleagues. 

JET is supported by Stoke-on-Trent City Council, Advantage West Midlands, the European Regional Development Fund, the European Social Fund, Jobcentre Plus, the Skills Funding Agency and the Coalfields Regeneration Trust.