Manchester People - Issue 45, New Year 2011

The Future Jobs Fund has helped more than 1,000 people find work.

Manchester has seen its 1,000th young person start work through the Future Jobs Fund scheme.

Carlo Tommaselo, 23, has found employment with Manchester City Council as a trainee road worker - fixing potholes and kerbs - after a frustrating ten months out of work.

The milestone means that the city is on course to achieve its target of creating 1,500 new jobs before March.

The roles, primarily aimed at 18 to 24-year-olds who have been unemployed for six months or more, are designed to benefit both the community and the individuals employed.

Funding is in place until the end of March this year, and the Council and its partner organisations will be continuing to recruit until then - meaning the Future Jobs Fund will be continuing to provide employment right up to September 2011.

The scheme has led directly to permanent employment for a number of young people, while many others have boosted their skills and confidence, leaving them perfectly placed to start work elsewhere.

Carlo, from Seymour Road, Clayton, said: "I was doing groundwork before, doing things like concrete foundations, but the construction industry went down and there wasn't much out there.

"This job has put me back on my feet. It's good for my prospects in the future, I'm learning new skills and I'm working with a good bunch of lads."

Councillor Sameem Ali, Executive Member for Employment and Skills, said: "We know times are tough but the Future Jobs Fund is proving a tremendous success in providing hundreds of young people with a route out of long-term unemployment. I'd like to congratulate Carlo on becoming the 1,000th person to benefit from the scheme.

"Our message to young people who have been unemployed for City on course to achieve target of 1,500 new jobs more than six months is to get in touch. There could be a job waiting for you. And our message to employers who want to recruit is to come and speak to us. We have a group of job-ready young people with skills and enthusiasm."

Eligible young people who want to find out more about the Future Jobs Fund should contact their local Jobcentre Plus on 0845 6060234 or visit www.jobcentreplus.gov.uk  Employers (whether in the public or private sector) who want to find out more about opportunities relating to the scheme should contact Sarah Ross on 0161 245 4924 or by email at s.ross@manchester.gov.uk