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Hotelier one of the first to benefit from government scheme

A hotelier in Newcastle has become one of the first employers in the region to use a new government scheme.

The employment subsidy scheme comes through the Real Help campaign, which targets those who have been unemployed for more than six months and gives employers the chance to offer a work trial, while the prospective employee can still receive their benefits.

The Jesmond Hotel, managed by Pamela Cetoloni, used Jobcentre Plus to find Sam Baugh, 28 and from Kingston Park, who had been unemployed for seven months until her work trial started.

Sam, now a management assistant, said: “I’ve applied for a lot of jobs in the last few months, and although I had a couple of interviews, I wasn’t able to find work.

“Doing the work trial gave me the chance to get into a routine and proved to me, and to Pamela, that I could fit in well here.”

Pamela was also able to receive an extra subsidy from the Jobcentre, under the ‘Golden Hello’ scheme, which could mean an extra £2,500 for the hotel.

Pamela said: “I’ve used Jobcentre Plus in the past, but this time I was told I could take on a work trial for two weeks.

“It’s a brilliant idea as it gives me the chance to see someone actually doing the job day-in day-out and also gives the candidate the chance to know if the job is right for them.”

One North East chairman Margaret Fay said: “The aim is to highlight those who are leading the way to recovery, while giving those who may need assistance to overcome problems every possible opportunity to do so.

“The North East is still fertile ground for business and the companies and individuals you see highlighted in Real Help for Business Now are evidence of this.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Ruth Mitchell .