A PIONEERING new scheme to help get people back into work is celebrating its first successful year.

More than a dozen local residents took part in the Job Club which was delivered by Willington Community Action (WCA), in Willington, near Crook.

As part of the programme, participants were given the opportunity to engage with organisations such as Citizens Advice, National Careers Service and Shaw Trust, and were interviewed by local employers.

All participants have now finished the programme with a nationally recognised qualification.

Matthew Todd, WCA’s development and funding officer and programme tutor, said: “It’s been a pleasure helping local people develop their employability skills, it has been very rewarding for me and I am confident they will all do very well in the future.

“I hope they continue to engage with Willington Community Action and the wide variety of programmes we have on offer and I’d like to wish everyone the best of luck for the future and hope their quest to find employment is successful.

“I would like to urge anyone out there who is unemployed and would like some assistance to call, email or drop into the centre to discuss how we can help them.”

A new Job Club has now started, but applications are still being accepted for new members. To join the programme or for more information, contact Mr Todd on 01388-742000 or drop in to the centre.

The programme is funded by County Durham Community Foundation, the European Social Fund and the Skills Funding Agency and was delivered by Willington Community Action.