A TEES Valley council worker who lost her job following the Governments spending cuts has set up her own business thanks to an enterprise training programme.

The My Future Unlimited scheme is run by Newcastle-based New Skills Consulting. The company was set up 10 years ago by Peter Graham who had worked in economic development at North Tyneside Council. His consultancy has gone on to help several local authority staff build a new future in the private sector.

Caroline Molloy the former operational manager of occupational therapy at Middlesbrough Council, attended one of the companys workshops in July after she was made redundant. She now runs her own occupational therapy consultancy.

"My Future Unlimited has been a great resource for me," she said. "With the help of experienced consultants, I felt confident that I could establish a consultancy and make it work for the lifestyle I wanted to achieve."

Mr Graham explained how his business was helping people across the region. "Redundancy can be a hugely de-motivating experience, so its been fantastic to see people coming out of the workshops with such enthusiasm and optimism about their future," he said.

"The transition into self-employment has been exciting and challenging in equal measure, but ultimately very rewarding. Through this programme we prepare people for the opportunities and challenges ahead and share with them everything we wish wed known when we were starting out."

For more information visit www.myfutureunlimited.co.uk.