New Start is a new employability programme which launched in November 2021 and created 68 new career-starter roles in February. Six of those roles were created specifically within Byker working with Karbon’s Grounds Maintenance Team.
It’s a paid placement programme for people aged 25 and over and opens doors for job seekers who were previously unable to find work.
We caught up with Ross to find out how he found this different approach to finding a job.
Ross, 29, lives in Byker and was looking for a change after he worked as a cleaner at a school for several years.
When he saw that New Start offered him the opportunity to work as part of Karbon’s Grounds Maintenance Team, he jumped at the chance.
He said; “It was a risk trying something new and leaving a permanent role, but I felt like it was time for a change and that if I didn’t take this opportunity, it may not come up again. It can be hard to get this type of job, so I just took it straight away.”
Ross was put in touch with the New Start employment advisors Helen and Kate who helped him through the recruitment process.
“I’ve been working since I left school, but I’ve never had to write a CV. Helen and Kate were spot on – they showed me how to use emails properly. I would have struggled otherwise if they hadn’t helped me.”
“Hopefully after the five months you never know what could happen. I’m enjoying it – it’s an unbelievable job.”
Recruitment for New Start has now closed, but if you’re looking for work, training, volunteering or work experience, then please contact the Foundations Employment Project Team on 0191 223 8750 or email foundations@karbonhomes.co.uk
New Start is a partnership between housing providers in the North of Tyne region, Karbon Homes, Your Homes Newcastle (YHN), North Tyneside Council, Northumberland County Council, Changing Lives and Bernicia, and roles were open to customers living in their homes.
The project is funded by the UK Government’s Department of Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (DLUHC) through the UK Community Renewal Fund with the North of Tyne Combined Authority as the lead authority.