Pictured: (l-r) Trevor Morris, Bob Parker, HR director of Nightfreight and Luke Mole

National supply chain specialist Nightfreight is supporting a nationwide project to help the long-term unemployed get back into the workplace.

The Willenhall based employer is one of the first logistics providers to partner with placeability™ - an organisation dedicated to helping disabled people, long term unemployed and people with learning difficulties to find temporary employment.

Nightfreight - which employs 2000 staff across 53 operating sites nationwide - has introduced temporary employment opportunities for placeability™ candidates at its 'central hub' in Wolverhampton.

Among the first to benefit from Nightfreight's involvement are Luke Mole and Trevor Morris, from Wolverhampton. Both are working as full-time warehouse operatives at the company and are responsible for handling goods for onward delivery. 

Luke has been out of work for over three years after struggling to find employment.

The 22-year-old said: "Nightfreight is a fantastic company to be a part of, and after being out of work for so long I thought my chances of getting work again were getting worse by the day.

"placeability™ set me up with a few interviews and thankfully Nightfreight took a chance on me. Things are going well, and as far as I am concerned the future is now really positive."

Nightfreight's HR director, Bob Parker says the company is delighted to throw its support behind such a worthwhile organisation.

He said: "It has allowed us to introduce a new platform for local people looking to get back into work and build a career in the transport and logistics sector.

"At Nightfreight, we believe it's vital to provide the right type of opening for strengths to be recognised, for talent to be acknowledged and a sense of self-worth accomplished.

"We're looking forward to developing this partnership over the coming months and creating further opportunities for local people to re-enter employment."

placeability™ is an employment business set up by de Poel, the leading purchaser of temporary agency labour in the UK. 

de Poel and placability™ CEO, Matthew Sanders, sees the partnership between placeability™ and Nightfreight as a milestone in improving businesses' corporate social responsibility across the country.

He said: "This partnership portrays the opportunities for all companies to bring their CSR plans to life. By having companies like Nightfreight make such positive steps, it shows that there is a genuine willingness for organisations to help people within local communities re-enter the workforce."

Janice Henson, placeability™ manager said: "The logistics industry is one of the most challenging of all industry sectors and fundamental to the economy. 

"Nightfreight was one of the first to realise the benefits of helping people back into the workforce. Not only did they see the advantages of temporary workers, they also recognised the underlying benefits of making a difference and creating opportunities for people with barriers to work."