NORTH of Tyne housing providers have secured funding to deliver an employability project.

The partnership, made up of local providers Northumberland County Council, Karbon Homes, Your Homes Newcastle, Bernicia, North Tyneside Council and Changing Lives has received £716,612 from the UK Community Renewal Fund - an initiative which aims to support people and communities most in need across the UK.

The eight-month project will begin in December and consists of three workstreams: A foundational economy study in North Shields, Blyth and Byker aimed at identifying the barriers to employability in those communities

A new employability programme called ‘New Start’ providing paid work placements for over 25s building on the successful government Kickstart scheme aimed at 16-24 year olds.

A feasibility study to explore the idea of a shared placement model of employment for North-East SMEs

Charlotte Carpenter, executive director of growth and business development at Karbon Homes, said the organisation was delighted at its successful bid for funding.

The project has been backed by the North of Tyne Combined Authority which put the project forward for consideration and is supporting with aspects of its delivery. It is one of two which has received UK Community Renewal Funding in the North of Tyne area and one of eight in the wider North-East.

“The New Start Scheme means more people and more employers will be part of the region’s recovery from Covid-19", said Mayor Jamie Driscoll. "It’s a collaborative approach that brings together the right people and the right organisations.

“This scheme will give people a helping hand into jobs. Increasing job prospects changes people’s lives and that’s what I want. I want everyone to be able to see their own potential."