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Last chance for employee subsidies in South Tyneside

December is the last chance for small and medium sized local businesses across South Tyneside to take advantage of a wage subsidy programme that aims to get young people from the Borough back into work.

The scheme, launched back in April this year by Leader of South Tyneside Council, Councillor Iain Malcolm, envisaged getting 100 young people back into the workplace by the end of 2012. The latest figures show that the programme is well on its way to achieving the target with over 80 young workers being found employment, to date.

The programme helps to create a new job by providing funding towards an employee’s salary and looks to support local businesses in their vision to develop and grow.

The scheme operates with South Tyneside Council contributing to the employee’s salary, as they work between 30 and 37 hours per week. The young people have to be from South Tyneside, be aged 18-24 years and have been unemployed for at least 3-months.

Councillor Iain Malcolm, Leader of South Tyneside Council, said: “The wage subsidy and apprenticeship programme shows the Borough’s serious commitment to getting young people back to work and gives them an opportunity to gain a high level of skills that can be used to further their employment prospects.

“South Tyneside is proud of its industrial roots and looks to build upon those achievements across varying fields including the Borough’s excellence in engineering. The new scheme represents South Tyneside’s drive and focus for helping to lead the way in educating and training the workforces of the future.”

One business to benefit from the wage subsidy programme is The Pipe Surgeon based at TEDCO in Jarrow.

The Pipe Surgeon, owner, Stuart Nagouse, said: “The scheme has provided us with a young worker who has proved to be a real asset to our company.”

The Pipe Surgeon has been trading for nine years and is currently employing six people, one part-time and five full-time workers.

The company’s owner, from South Shields, has always stuck by his roots by only employing local companies and keeping the money in the Borough.

Stuart adds: “The subsidy has helped us progress as a business. Jeff has done well since first joining the company and has worked hard to prove his worth.

“The programme has allowed us to employ Jeff at a minimum cost to the business, taking away the burden of salary. It enables you to professionally assess the person’s attitude, motivation and aptitude to learning.

“Too many schools train kids to be brain surgeons and forget the importance of practical skills like engineering. We’ve let Jeff know what it’s like to work in the industry, to which he has flourished and became a valuable member of the team. Everyone has benefited, we’ve been so impressed with his dedication that we’ve made his position permanent.”

Wage subsidy programme employee, Jeff Aitken, aged 19, of Whiteleas, said: “The scheme allows young people like myself, to prove what we can do and to be given a chance against those people who might be seen to have more experience.”

Jeff is a former student of St Wilfred’s RC College in South Shields and has been working at The Pipe Surgeon for the past 8-months. Jeff added: “I’ve loved every minute of my time with Stuart and the rest of the team and have learnt so much since I’ve started, picking up a few industry qualifications along the way. The work programme has given me a chance to show an employer that I’m willing to do well. I would definitely recommend people to go with this scheme, to stick at it and try your best.”

Councillor Michael Clare, Lead Member for Regeneration and Economy at South Tyneside Council, said: “The wage subsidy and apprenticeship programme is proving a great success and popular with local businesses. This appreciation is a welcoming sign from South Tyneside employers as the Borough looks to continue its progression and increase economic growth.

“There’s nothing better for a young person than to learn from hands-on experience, this also benefits the employer as they are receiving six months work from an enthusiastic and passionate employee. The scheme gives young people a foothold into potential full-time employment or, to at least provide them with grounding on which they can develop a future career path. It also offers an outlet for momentum to build, in the pursuit of reducing unemployment in the younger generation.”

For local South Tyneside businesses interested in finding out more information about the wage subsidy scheme please contact Lisa Prince, Economic Development Officer on 0191 424 7569 or by emailing lisa.prince@southtyneside.gov.uk

People have until 21 December to sign up for the scheme.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by South Tyneside Council .