THE first Tavistock job seeker to be helped by Working Links, the group who run the Plymouth Employment Zone, has set up his own business manufacturing cleaning products with help from employment service advisors.
Paul Lewis, owner of Westchem Cleaning Products, was assigned a personal consultant at Tavistock job centre two months ago. He was one of the first job seekers to be referred after Working Links extended its boundaries to include Tavistock.
'Paul had a clear idea of what he wanted to do but lacked the guidance and finance to start his own business. He had a good idea but just needed some initial help to get him started,' said personal consultant Sue French.
Paul attended Enterprise Plymouth for business advice and started looking for suitable premises for his chemical business, with a unit soon found in Bere Alston. With the help of Working Links Paul was able to put down a deposit and move in by the end of November. Further help was available so Paul could buy the equipment required to start trading. He has been able to continue receiving advice and guidance from his consultant for a further 13 weeks after he started work. As a result of this continuity of support, Working Links say 85 per cent of job seekers helped by them are still in employment three months later.
Employment Zone director Frances Breman said: 'At Working Links we treat every job seeker we help as an individual, using creative and flexible ways to cut through red tape and overcome barriers.
'Paul had specific requirements and as an organisation we were able to help. We wish him every success for a long and profitable career.'
Working Links was founded specifically to address the issues facing long-term unemployment and teams job seekers up with a personal consultant for advice and help to return to suitable, sustainable employment.
Working Links run the Employment Zone in Plymouth. Employment zones were set up by the Government in April 2000, and have helped over 10,000 people into employment nationwide.