A NEW way back to work has opened to help unemployed people in Hartlepool.

Called Work Route, it helps jobless people to gain the experience and qualifications they need to become self-employed in the construction industry.

It is a partnership between Hartlepool Borough Council, City Centre Training and local firms, and is supported by the Neighbourhood Renewal Fund.

Diane Laitmer, project manager at the council, said: "We have found in the past that a number of unemployed people had some qualifications in craft trades but could not progress any further because they could not gain the on-the-job skills they needed.

"Similarly, firms were reluctant to employ people if they had not reached this level - so it was a frustrating no-win situation.

"Now, with Work Route, jobless people can gain the crucial help and work experience they need to gain higher level qualifications to make them more attractive prospective employees."

Course participants spend up to a year working full-time with a local construction firm, while studying to gain higher qualifications.

One of the Hartlepool companies already backing the scheme is Yuill Homes.

Andrew Pegg, from Yuill, said: "The construction industry has a current and future skills shortage, and we need to try innovative ways to bring good people into the industry.

"We are pleased to support this scheme as it brings together employers and partially-trained tradesmen in a way which will result in long term benefits for them both."

For more information, contact Sue Williams on (01429) 284583.