The DurhamWorks employer grant has helped over 50 small businesses employ and support young people in the past 12 months.
DurhamWorks is a partnership between Durham County Council and seven organisations, working together to support young people, and to help them create their future.
DurhamWorks offers:
• One-to-one support with a dedicated member of the team.
• Help to progress into work, volunteering, further learning, or training.
• Opportunities to gain skills and qualifications.
• Support with benefits, housing and childcare arrangements.
The DurhamWorks grant is designed to help small employers create jobs for unemployed 16-to-24-year-olds who are currently on DurhamWorks.
The grant lasts for six months and offers up to £2,500 towards salary costs. It cannot be used to support apprenticeships. Sharon Davis from Tiny Treasures, a childcare and play service based in Seaham, was able to employ an additional member of staff with help from the grant.
Due to the nature of the business, Sharon required someone with a Level 3 qualification and who could drive. Although this was challenging, DurhamWorks managed to match a candidate. The grant has helped Sharon to continue growing her business.
Sharon said: “My business has benefited from young people being part of our workforce and I truly believe it has developed in ways that would not have been possible without them.”
The grant also helped Jonathan Hall from Certax Accounting, based on Aycliffe Business Park, to grow his company.
The DurhamWorks grant helped relieve the financial burden of taking on a new employee.
Jonathan said: “Access to the grant was really easy and helped us to employ a university student and gave us the time to train them.”
If you are a small business, the DurhamWorks grant could help you employ talented young people who can add value to your company. Their dedicated team offers support to ensure you find the right young person for your business.
To find out how your organisation could benefit from funding and support through DurhamWorks, call 03000 262 930, email [email protected] or visit durhamworks.info/employers.