Car deals available to aid jobseekers
Dec 9 2009 by Dave Black, The Journal
JOBSEEKERS in Northumberland who can’t take up employment opportunities because of transport problems are being offered help by a pioneering project that literally puts them on the road to success.
Dozens have already benefited from pilot ‘wheels to work’ schemes run in two areas of the county - which involve the cheap loan of a car or scooter to get them to and from vital employment or training.
Now the Green Light to Work initiative is being rolled out across the county, following the success of trials in the south-east of the county and Tynedale.
The Government-funded project targets unemployed people whose chances of securing a job or training course are threatened by them not having their own vehicle - or access to reliable public transport.
Advisers carry out personal travel planning assessments, which can result in applicants being given the short-term loan of a scooter or car for just £15 and £25 a week respectively.
Those who return the vehicles in good condition at the end of the loan period receive a refund of 75% of the cost, as an incentive to save up for their own vehicle.
Yesterday Green Light to Work - which is funded by the Department for Communities and Local Government via Northumberland County Council and managed by Adapt (North East) - was launched as a county-wide service at the Lynemouth Resource Centre.
It has £100,000 in funding for the next 18 months, holds 30 scooters and 18 cars for jobseekers and hopes to help more than 100 people into employment between now and March 2011.
Beneficiaries of the pilot schemes include tourism management graduate Kim Tully, 27, from Choppington. She was made redundant in June from a business travel management firm in Seaton Burn as a result of the recession.
