Trust bring jobs joy to young people

WORKING: Michael Tomlinson (left) at his new place of work and Bill Marley from The Employability Trust

In the last two months, the fab seven who were given work experience placements with The Employability Trust, have been taken on by employers.

Over the past year, the Trust, which is based on the South West Industrial Estate, Peterlee, gave 24 young people work experience placements and of those, 21 have gone on to find secure employment with businesses in the local area, representing a massive 87.5 per cent success rate.

One of the young people now in full time work is Michael Tomlinson.

The 23-year-old, from Horden, spent just two weeks at fine dining catering specialist provider Goodfellow and Goodfellow before MD Valda Goodfellow offered him a full time job.

Michael said: “Since starting at The Employability Trust, and through the work I’ve been doing with Peterlee Business Park Group, I’ve really developed and was determined to take the chances which came my way. Now I’m in full time employment and I owe a huge thank you to the team for helping make that happen.”

The trust’s Bill Marley said: “Since launching The Employability Trust, 68 young people have been given paid employment which is a success rate second to none.

“At the moment, 75 per cent of our team are placed with local companies and for many of them the short term opportunity given to them will lead to a permanent job.

“We pride ourselves on giving NEETs the chance to gain hands on experience and to learn the work ethics employers look for and when you look at our success rate, it’s clear it is working.”

The Employability Trust also directly employed 64 people aged 16 and over on short term contracts while a third of its workforce is apprentices who have been given the opportunity to earn while they learn. The trust has secured work with MetroMail, Loricas, Wilsonart, Isabelina and DTA, and BHK.