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New Start onboarding event at Stanley Skills Hubs 

Our customers from across the North East have started an exciting new career journey. 

15 Karbon Homes’ customers are taking part in New Start, our paid placement programme providing five-month long career starter jobs, with no prior experience required. 

As part of their induction, they took part in an event at our Skills Hub on Stanley’s Front Street which gave the successful candidates the chance to find out more about the New Start programme, including the 121 support they receive from a New Start advisor, opportunities to develop during their placement and the chance to undertake a free qualification linked to their role. 

Michelle Fortune, our New Start Project Coordinator said: 

“It’s brilliant to see such a great range of customers or different ages, backgrounds and circumstances being able to benefit from the New Start scheme. 

We’ve created fantastic opportunities exclusively for our customers with local employers throughout the region. All of our New Start placements are so eager to start their roles with their new employers and I’m excited to see how they develop over the next five months.” 

We are working with local employers from a wide variety of sectors including Northumbrian Water, Muckle LLP and NE14.TV. Together we developed a varied selection of job opportunities, from production assistants to administrators, grounds maintenance to property development.  

Sharon from Stanley, who is about to start work as a receptionist for Karbon Homes, had been working in her previous role for 14 years before being made redundant. Sharon benefitted from the support the New Start scheme provided:   

“I haven’t had a formal interview before so this was all new to me. New Start gave me the information I needed for what was my first proper interview.  

“Any help that was required they’ve done that for me. I’m not a driver so the team have chauffeured me backwards and forwards to these job interviews. Absolute Godsend.”   

Shaun from Consett has struggled to find work due to health issues. But the New Start scheme was able to help him find employment with property development company Skidmore Properties:  

“I’ve had severe health issues so there’s not been many employers who’ve been keen to take me on over the last ten years. It’s really refreshing to get some help. It’s rewarding to know people still care and the job role is one I think I’m capable of and will thrive.” 

Catherine, who has four young children, was able to benefit from the flexibility and support New Start and her new employer NE14.TV provided:  

“My biggest barrier was childcare, but this role fits around my family brilliantly and gives me the flexibility I need. The opportunity is just going to change my family’s whole life. It’s going to give us a head start.” 

Shannon-Jo from Stanley is about to start a role with Northumbrian Water. She found the New Start experience to be much more relaxed than other job interviews: 

“It’s given me the opportunity to get a new job without having much experience. It was really straightforward. The interview process was very informal and that put me at ease. It was much easier and much more relaxed and calm.” 

To find out more about New Start, visit www.karbonhomes.co.uk/newstart. 

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