Getting back to work with Future Job Funds and Novas Scarman

I recently started at The Novas Scarman Group (NSG), which is taking part in the Future Jobs

Fund scheme. The scheme aims to help 18-24 yr olds who have been out of work for 6 months or more and claiming job seekers allowance to find employment.

Last April I was made redundant and like countless people out there I found it difficult to get back into work. With unemployment figures so high during this period of recession and so many young people finding it difficult to get a job that probably 200 other people are applying for.

The constant rejection was very demoralizing when after sending 100's of CV's out (no not an exaggeration literally 100s) to not get very much back. Knowing that your more than capable to do these jobs it feels like know one wants to give you a chance. I started to think I would never get back to full time employment. Having worked full time since I left college this period of unemployment was very difficult.

Then the Jobcentre talked me through the Future Jobs Fund (FJF) showing me a list of all the possible positions that I could apply for. Finally their seemed to be some light at the end of the tunnel, especially after they told me how soon these jobs could start once you have been offered the role.

I applied for a Job at Novas Scarman Group (NSG) as a marketing assistant and was quickly offered the role. A job which offered me fantastic opportunities to learn something new and help towards my future endeavours.

I have been here now for three weeks and am really grateful for the opportunity to get back to work. Not only is NSG a fantastic and worthwhile organisation to be apart of I feel that by taking part in the Future Jobs Fund and hiring me and many other's NSG are giving people a chance to get back on their feet and develop their skills.

Katie Williams, 24

A New year and New Start.

Following the obligatory January 1^st hangover, consideration of the year ahead is likely to induce some feeling of apprehension for even the most sorted of individuals. For those currently out of employment, particularly those who are young and at the beginning of their careers, the future can seem both bleak and daunting.

A recent survey reported that the rate of unemployment among 18-24 year olds has jumped from 12% to more than 17% within the last year. Figures like this have prompted the government to take action. First announced in the 2009 Budget, the Future Jobs Fund (FJF) is a fund of around £1 billion aimed at tackling rising unemployment by creating jobs for long time unemployed young people. From early 2010, anyone between the ages of 18-24 who has been out of work for more than six months will receive an offer of a job, work experience, or training for a period of at least six months.

It is through the FJF that I have been able to start a six-month placement at Novas Scarman Group (NSG), a social charity that works locally throughout England and Wales to create new opportunities for disadvantaged individuals and communities. I’ll be working under Stuart Ball, director of operations for NSG as a trainee administrator and will be responsible for managing Stuart’s dairy, arranging meetings and completing other general administrative tasks.

Prior to joining NSG I had been out of work for quite a long period of time and was finding it increasingly difficult to find any kind of job let alone one in my desired area. It was through the Jobcentre plus that I was referred to FJF and subsequently NSG. So far working for NSG has been fulfilling and extremely beneficial, I had little experience of working with office excel and office outlook which may have hindered me when previously sending out applications for clerical and administrative positions. Now I feel confident working with these programs and believe that what is so good about FJF is that it offers experience, training and a wage to those starting out with little or no experience and in an area of work that they are interested in.

Holly Inch, 24