Employability programme proves just the job

Over 100 people came together at St James’ Park this week to celebrate the early success of a pioneering North East employability programme.

Graduates of the New Start programme joined staff from the housing associations and partner organisations behind the project on Tuesday (28 June) to celebrate the news that 73 people have secured employment through the initiative.

New Start is a paid placement programme, which provides career starter roles for people aged 25 and over. Building on the success of existing employment schemes, the programme offers five month opportunities of up to 30 hours per week, with no prior experience requirements.

It is a partnership between housing providers in the North of Tyne region, Your Homes Newcastle, Karbon Homes, North Tyneside Council, Northumberland County Council, Changing Lives and Bernicia, with roles open to residents living in their households.

Launched in December with the aim of helping build skills and aid the region’s economic recovery post-pandemic, more than half of the participants of the five-month programme have since gone on to secure jobs in a range of disciplines, from caretaking to banking and customer services.

Your Homes Newcastle also offers a range of other employability programmes such as training to help residents find permanent employment, CV writing, apprenticeship and work opportunities, interview preparation and help searching for jobs.

Helen Neal, Assistant Director of Supported Services at Your Homes Newcastle, said: “We are delighted to have worked collaboratively with housing providers and partner organisations across the North of Tyne to deliver this pioneering programme.

“Over the past five months, we’ve helped hundreds of people gain real life work experience, earn a real wage, and secure the confidence and qualifications required to boost their careers.

“Despite the employment challenges linked to the pandemic, YHN has had a very successful time recently in terms of helping customers into work, and the New Start programme is another example of how we go above and beyond to help our residents lead economically happier and more fulfilled lives.”

The New Start programme is backed by the North of Tyne Combined Authority, with Mayor Jamie Driscoll describing it as a collaborative approach that helps more people and more employers become part of the region’s recovery from Covid-19. 

The programme has gained the support from a number of North East businesses, offering a range of placements from a Day Centre Cook and Jam Maker at Belle and Herbs Farm in Central Newcastle, to a Learning Support Worker at Northern Learning Trust, Digital Inclusions Assistants at Your Homes Newcastle, and Play Workers at Calmer Therapy in Morpeth.

Suzanne Jobson, Foundations for Life Manager at Karbon Homes, added: “The Impact of the New Start programme has been phenomenal. We are thrilled that it has helped so many local people, including Karbon Homes’ customers, to find new opportunities and take those important next steps on their career journey.

“This project will help shape the future of employment in the region and make an important contribution to ensuring individuals have the opportunity to fulfil their potential. Projects such as this have a really important role to play in helping to level up disparities within and between regions.”

The programme has been funded by the UK Government’s Community Renewal Fund, an initiative designed to support local areas to pilot new approaches and programmes which help tackle local challenges.

Laura Ramos, a Your Homes Newcastle resident who started working with Efficiency North, was one of the programme’s many success stories.

Speaking about her experience, she said: “It’s the perfect opportunity to either get back to work or retrain in a different role. It’s only for 5 or 6 months so you don’t have that permanence that comes with other jobs. If you don’t like it, then you can move on, but you’ve still gained experience and skills. 

“You get the support which you don’t normally get with traditional roles. It’s the perfect springboard for people who haven’t worked for a while or want to get into something new.”