A SCHEME which aims to tackle unemployment by offering local employers half of a new member of staff's first-year wages has created 29 jobs in just two months.

Joiner Dave Rose is one of 10 former jobseekers who have already settled into new roles created for them as part of the £1.2-million Changeworks wage subsidy programme.

As reported, the scheme was developed by North East Lincolnshire Council and Jobcentre Plus, in response to feedback from local small and medium-sized businesses on what would encourage them to expand their workforces.

So far more than 70 firms have expressed an interest in the scheme – and Changeworks bosses are appealing for more companies to sign up to reach their target of creating 350 new jobs.

Thanks to the financial help provided by the scheme, Dave Rose, 55, has been offered a full-time job with Grimsby-based property maintenance firm, Handyman Ltd.

The company's founder and director, Scott Watts, said Changeworks is a great way to encourage businesses to expand their workforce.

"I probably would have taken on Dave anyway, because he's exactly what we needed, but having the financial incentive there made it a much easier decision," said Scott.

"One of my friends has already taken on an extra member of staff through Changeworks because I told him it was such a good idea.

"It's a great way for businesses to be able to take on a new member of staff they need but are worried about affording."

Dave, who spent eight months out of work after Rok construction went into administration, said: "Being unemployed after spending my whole life working was boring, depressing and soul-destroying.

"I'm very grateful to the scheme for helping to create a job for me."

Another person who has already found employment through Changeworks is mum-of-four Jackie North, 47, who has become a part-time administrator for web design company, Be Everything Ltd.

Jackie worked as an office manager before she became a full-time carer for one of her sons, who has a rare form of epilepsy.

When her son went to live with his partner, Jackie spent 18 months struggling to find work until she was offered the opportunity at Grimsby's Enterprise Village.

She said: "I am really enjoying being back in work, I hated being unemployed and it was hard going to interviews and to keep being turned down for jobs. I even got to the point when I was going round and hand delivering CVs to try to find work.

"It's great to be back working and using my skills again and I am much happier."

Alex Willis, a web designer for the company, said employing Jackie has given him and his colleagues the chance to take on more work and expand the business.

He added: "We took Jackie on as we had too much administration work to do ourselves and it was taking our time away from concentrating on the core business.

"We now don't know what we would do without her, businesses should definitely give the scheme a try."

After being accepted for the scheme by meeting some basic conditions, businesses work with the Jobcentre Plus to find candidates to fill the new post.

Councillor Chris Shaw, leader of North East Lincolnshire Council, said: "As the experiences of Be Everything and Handyman Ltd show, new staff can be a real asset to a small company and make a huge difference in a short space of time.

"The scheme offers a great opportunity for small to medium sized businesses in the area to grow their workforce by offering half of the wage costs for up to one year.

"This can make taking on a new staff member now an affordable option."

Get involved

To find out more, visit www.nelincs.gov.uk/changeworks or call the council's community investment team on 01472 326142.