An unemployed former manufacturing worker is now rocking all over the world thanks to help from his local Jobcentre. 

Forty-six year old Alan Nyland from Billesley in Birmingham, who used to work as a Computer Numerically Controlled (CNC) operator, is now making a living as a self-employed musician with Midlands rock band ‘The Handsome Beasts’.

Alan went to Kings Heath Jobcentre where he met his New Deal Personal Adviser Wendy Ford. There he took part in the Government’s New Deal 25 Plus programme that is run by Jobcentre Plus.

New Deal 25 Plus is a tailored programme of job search support for unemployed people aged 25 or over who have been claiming Jobseekers’ Allowance for at least 18 months.

Alan had always enjoyed rock music as a hobby, playing guitar. Wendy Ford, Alan’s personal adviser at Jobcentre Plus in Kings Heath, said: ”We talked about what Alan did socially. Alan has fantastic contacts in the music business - and after he got talking to them, it was like a light bulb going on!”

Wendy suggested Alan considered self-employment and referred him to Birmingham Chamber Training through the New Deal programme. There, Alan received six hour-long interviews with a business adviser, along with help to compile a business plan and the chance to try self-employment for up to 26 weeks. Under New Deal, he continued to receive his benefit and was in touch with from his business adviser and Wendy.  During this period any money Alan earned went into a jointly administered business bank account.

Wendy added: “New Deal made the music business a goer for Alan! When I first met him, he was so depressed and so down but he is now making his living as a self-employed musician, gigging with his band around the UK and abroad. He is doing really well with a new album ‘Rock and a Hard Place’, and has just got back from Russia.”

Alan said: “Wendy has been a tower of strength. She treated me as a human being and made me feel useful again. I wouldn’t be where I am without her.”