DurhamWorks provides grants to local businesses to help them employ young people aged 16 – 24

DurhamWorks offers:

• One-to-one support with a dedicated member of the team
• Help to progress into work, volunteering, further learning, or training
• Opportunities to gain skills and qualifications
• Support with benefits, housing and childcare arrangements.

The DurhamWorks grant is designed to help small employers create jobs for unemployed 16 to 24 year olds who are currently on DurhamWorks. The grant lasts for six months and offers up to £2,500 towards salary costs. The grant cannot be used to support Apprenticeships.

Sharon from Tiny Treasures, a childcare and play service based in Seaham, was able to employ an additional member of staff with help from the grant. Due to the nature of the business, Sharon required someone with a Level 3 qualification and who could drive. Although this was challenging, DurhamWorks managed to match a candidate.

The grant has helped Sharon to continue growing her business. Sharon said: “My business has benefited from young people being part of our workforce and I truly believe it has developed in ways that would not have been possible without them.”

The grant also helped Jonathan from Certax Accounting in Newton Ayclffe, to grow his company. The DurhamWorks grant helped relieve the financial burden of taking on a new employee. 

Jonathan said: “Access to the grant was really easy and helped us to employ a university student and gave us the time to train them.”

If you are a small business, the DurhamWorks grant could help you employ talented young people who can add value to your company. Our dedicated team offers support to ensure you find the right young person for your business.

To find out how your organisation could benefit from funding and support through DurhamWorks: 

Call: 03000 262 930

Email: DWgrant@durham.gov.uk

Visit: www.durhamworks.info/employers