A PILOT scheme designed to improve the basic skills of the unemployed to help them find work has been praised by a minister.

The project, at New College Durham, in Durham City, is aimed at long-term unemployed people and people eligible for New Deal 18-25 or 25-plus.

If they need help with numeracy or literacy, they go on an eight or 26-week training programme.

Taking part in the course is mandatory, but trainees get an extra £10 per week on top of their benefits and the £10 per week training grant.

If they achieve their qualification, they get a £100 bonus and a better chance of getting a job.

More than 500 people have been referred to the scheme since it started in April.

Work and Pensions Minister Chris Pond, who visited the college, said: "Having well-trained workers is good for business and good for the economy.

"But it is also good for the individual because it shows that they can achieve qualifications that will help them progress in the workplace.

"I'm very impressed by what I've seen here in Durham.

"It's still early days yet, but the experience gained here in Durham and at the other pilot sites will help shape the future of skills training to ensure that we have people out there with the skills and qualifications that employers need."