Pictured above: David Riley also cut unemployment down to size

David Riley is just one of 50 people helped back to work in one amazing week across Herefordshire and Worcestershire through the government's Flexible Routeways programme.

The total numbers into employment set a new record for PPDG in the two counties, proving that with the right support local job seekers can embark on a new career.

Flexible Routeways, a European Social Fund (ESF) project co-financed by the Department for Work and Pensions, is currently being delivered by Pertemps People Development Group (PPDG) to support unemployed people back into work. 

David spent three years at college before taking a factory job and then finding himself facing redundancy as the economic downturn worsened. So after working for just 10 months, he found himself unemployed before being referred to PPDG's offices in Albert Street by Jobcentre Plus.

"This was the first time I had been out of work since leaving school," said David, "with rent to pay I need to work and a life on benefits is not for me.

"Now thanks to financial support from PPDG and Flexible Routeways, I have all my own landscaping tools and I'm keen to progress my new business ideas."

Dave's Garden Sevices offers: hedge cutting, mowing, decking, slabbing, fencing and everything and anything based in the garden. 

Through schemes like Flexible Routeways, local job seekers are able to access expertise, get help with business plans, marketing support, tools and equipment along with an aftercare service to ensure their business is sustainable.

In particular, PPDGs specialist teams have been able to use European Social Funds to provide David's equipment, training and even give help with travel expenses in the early phases of his new venture. The Redditch centre holds contracts to deliver Flexible Routeways, supporting job seekers back into the workplace.

Regional Operations Director, Simon Smithson, was delighted with the record week saying: "The team are consistently exceeding the contract profiles by delivering an exceptional level of service to our clients enabling us to achieve astounding levels of performance."

In partnership with the Department for Work and Pensions, 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 other European Social Funded programmes.

To learn more about PPDG in Redditch, please telephone 01527 592080.