Would an extra pair of hands benefit your business? Do you need another member of staff to develop your company but not sure you can afford the extra cost?
Then the Changeworks wage subsidy scheme may be able to help you by offering half of the wage cost for an employee, in a new role, for the first year of employment.
The innovative scheme has been developed locally by North East Lincolnshire Council (NELC) and Jobcentre Plus, in response to feedback from employers in the borough on what would help them to grow their workforce.
Applying is really straight forward and simple, businesses just have to meet some basic conditions in order to be suitable for the scheme. After being accepted Jobcentre Plus will work with the employer to find them appropriate, eligible candidates with the required skills and attitudes to meet the requirements of the new post.
The aim of Changeworks is to grow employment opportunities in North East Lincolnshire and create jobs for unemployed residents, which the scheme hopes to do by offering financial help. This can mean that for those businesses thinking of creating an additional job this is now an affordable option.
Changeworks will also create employment opportunities for unemployed individuals in the area looking for work in a tough job market. The next phase of the scheme will look at extending the subsidy to new apprenticeships created for young people struggling to get on the career ladder.
Councillor Chris Shaw, council leader and portfolio holder for finance and regeneration said: “By working closely with local employers we have identified that small and medium sized businesses need support to enable them to grow, develop and prosper in North East Lincolnshire. This can then create more work and employment opportunities for our residents too.
“The Changeworks scheme addresses the council priorities to: increase jobs in the borough and to strengthen the local economy, both of which will bring benefits to local people and our economy.”
Jo Corney, senior operations manager, Jobcentre Plus said: "We are pleased to work in partnership with North East Lincolnshire Council to support this initiative helping our customers get back into work".
Paula Gouldthorpe, Change board chair said: “We have been working closely with businesses and private sector companies to develop a scheme to mutually benefit employers and residents in the area through the creation of jobs.
“Changeworks offers local employers who may aspire to develop or who could be looking ahead to their future workforce requirements, the opportunity to expand their workforce at a subsidised cost for the first 12 months.
“More and more companies are realising that succession planning can be vital to ensure skills and experience are not lost as employees move on or towards retirement. This is especially important with the developments taking place in the ports and renewables industries. Changeworks can offer the chance to take on a new employee that can develop and grow with your business, at half the cost.”
For more information on the Changeworks wage subsidy scheme please visit www.nelincs.gov.uk/changeworks or call the community investment team on (01472) 326142.