Jobcentre Plus

A North Tyneside pub is toasting a free work experience scheme which helped them find a new assistant chef.

The Monkseaton Arms recently recruited Robert Armstrong, (44), following a ‘Work Trial’ arranged by Jobcentre Plus – a government scheme that let Robert try out the job for two weeks whilst continuing to claim benefits.

Robert, of Shiremoor, had been unemployed for two years before the Work Trial helped him into his new full-time role. Having given up working in the catering industry in 2002 to pursue a different career path, he was convinced to return to a tried and tested recipe by Chris Sainthouse, his adviser at Whitley Bay Jobcentre.

Robert explains: “Having been out of work for some time I wasn’t all that confident I could return to the job. I wasn’t even applying for those types of vacancies anymore. When Chris explained about Work Trials and arranged for me to go to the Monkseaton Arms I was delighted. The Work Trial certainly helped me to gain some of my old confidence. I found I could still do this job and rediscovered my love of it. My colleagues have been very supportive too. I’m really grateful for the opportunity.”

Jo Macintyre, manager at the Monkseaton Arms, said: “I was pleased to give Robert a chance to get back into work and even more delighted that he settled in so well. I had no hesitation in offering him a permanent place and I think taking him on a trial basis first really helped him to prove to us - and to himself – that he could still do this job.”

Research by Jobcentre Plus indicates only 28% of North East employers are aware of Work Trials, which have the potential to save them thousands of pounds in recruitment costs.

They are a key element of the Local Employment Partnerships, a commitment being made by employers across the UK, who are giving people on benefits a fair shot at vacancies in exchange for help with recruitment from Jobcentre Plus. So far over 50 employers in the North East have signed up to the scheme, which aims to help and additional 6,000 people in the region off benefits and into work by 2009.

For more information about Work Trials contact Jobcentre Plus on 0845 6060 234 or visit the Work Trials information page on this website