Jobless generation fears as initiative axed

He had been out of work for two years and says he felt like little more than a depressing statistic.

But that’s before a scheme which gives jobseekers work experience helped turn his life around.

After a six-month stint at Paper Mountain Solutions, in Eld Lane, Colchester, he was offered a job.

Sadly for fellow jobseekers, the scheme is about to be scrapped.

It was set up by the Labour government last year, but is now to be axed as part of the Conservative and Lib Dem coalition’s spending cuts.

Youngsters already on the scheme will be able to continue, but no more money will be made available.

Craig, 22, of Cattermole Close, Clacton, helps to co-ordinate the Future Jobs Fund in Colchester and has pleaded for the Government to continue the scheme in some form.

He said: “I was getting very down after two years of just going in, signing on and then not being able to get a job.

“I felt like a number that came in, signed on, and then went home. Being employed through the Future Jobs Fund has provided me with a routine and inspired me to do more for myself. I have gained more trust and belief in myself, which I didn’t believe was possible.

“I went from thinking there was no point in getting out of bed because there was nothing for me to do, to now thinking I want to get out of bed because I’m getting help with my career prospects.

“In my opinion, without the Future Jobs Fund, I would still be signing on. I really hope it can continue in some form or other, but I realise the scheme as it is now will cease to exist in the new year, once the current group of people on it have finished.”

The scheme was open to young adults who had been on jobseeker’s allowance for at least six months, matching them up with potential employees to give them six-months work experience placements.

An employer was given up to £6,500 for each recruit and was expected to pay them the minimum wage. The employer was also required to provide training, although there was no guarantee of a job.

The aim was to increase people’s confidence, expand their skills, and hopefully get them permanent employment at the end of it. Colchester Council, the Haven Project, arts group Firstsite, event co-ordinators Arts La’Olam and Colchester Arts Centre are among those who have been involved in it.

Amy Hicks, 21, hopes to turn her six-month placement into a permanent position at the Arts Centre. She’s in no doubt the experience has helped her get on the right track with her future career. She said: “I had been looking for a job for about eight months, so I just qualified for the scheme.

“It has made a huge difference to me because, before then, I was not sure which direction to go. It was very difficult for me because I had not gone to university or got a qualification. Now I have six months’ experience.

“I don’t know what I would have done without the Future Jobs Fund.”

Jim Leask, senior enterprise officer at Colchester Council, who co-ordinated the funding bid and the employment opportunities for 92 young people in the Colchester area, said: “The Future Jobs Fund has given jobless young people the opportunity to shine and achieve valuable experience and training, which will go a long way towards helping them increase their opportunities for full-time employment.”

Craig, who organised a get-together for people who had taken part in the scheme, added: “With everything in the news about people not doing enough to find work, I just think it is really important to show a scheme like this really does work.

“I want to do everything I can to make sure even if this is the end of the Future Jobs Fund, something might take its place.”