TWO unemployed men have started a new career after help from a scheme run by a housing association.

Dan Gill, 25 and David Williams, 29 both from Consett, are starting new jobs with local firm Lamplas Polymer Engineering.

The pair were initially taken on for six months by Shed, a scheme run by housing provider, Derwentside Homes to help unemployed people back into work.

After their contract was up, Shed contacted about the possibility of vacancies within their company.

Phillip Curran, Business Development Manager at Derwentside Homes, said: “Working with local employers supports our ethos of getting local people back into sustainable employment.

“This has proven that given the chance, employers are keen to make jobs available and help get people into work.

“Shed is a vehicle to give people the opportunity to learn more skills and getting that break they require by supporting the transition back in work and training”.

Lamplas director Joe O’Brien said: “We look to recruit local people with a good work ethic.

“Working with Shed is a win-win situation for us. We have a trusted partnership and with this approach we can support our local economy and the community as a whole.”