A programme which helps young people into employment is celebrating after reaching a significant milestone.
DurhamWorks, a partnership project led by Durham County Council and part funded by the European Social Fund and Youth Employment Initiative, has now supported more than 4,000 people between the ages of 16 to 24 to become ‘work ready’.
The programme works with a range of partners to help unemployed young people develop their existing skills, identify new ones and help them into a range of training, job and education opportunities.
One of the many who have been supported by DurhamWorks is single mum Catherine Kime, who is now studying accountancy and feeling positive about her future.
“I wasn’t very confident about my career prospects before being introduced to DurhamWorks but thanks to them I now have an idea of what I want to do,” she said.
“Their staff gave me the practical and moral support I needed to apply for college courses, which I wouldn’t have been able to do on my own.”
DurhamWorks works with a number of partners to help young people not in employment, education or training, including offering one-to-one support with a dedicated member of the team and providing help with benefits, housing and care arrangements.
Cllr Olwyn Gunn, Cabinet member for children and young people, said: “We are delighted that so many young people have benefited from this project and been supported into employment, training and further education.
“This is an achievement we are extremely proud of and we would encourage any other businesses interested in taking on young people to get in touch and find out more about the help we can offer.”
For more information visit www.durhamworks.info