A?NEW scheme providing valuable experience and training is being pioneered by Tavistok Town Council in partnership with JobCentre Plus.

The scheme will see volunteers working on placement with the council's works department for a period of six to eight weeks.

If successful, the scheme could be extended to other council departments.

Works superintendent Wayne Southall said: 'It's all about trying to help people to get back into a working environment and giving them some experience.

'Plymouth City Council has already signed up to a similar scheme. It's voluntary, so the candidates will still be paid their Jobseeker's Allowance, but it will give them some training and will look good on their CV.

'I think it's a win-win situation — it's a bit of extra manpower for us and it's good for them.'

Mr Southall said the candidates would be undertaking general duties within the works department once they had received basic training. It could cover grass cutting or maintenance within any of the council-owned buildings or land.

Town mayor Cllr Anne Johnson said: 'I am pleased that the town council is able to offer voluntary work experience to an unemployed person. Working with JobCentre Plus, we will offer an opportunity within the works department to aid them back into the workplace environment.

'We will evaluate this trial and if successful will look at offering similar experiences in other departments in the future.

'Hopefully, this will be of benefit to those who undertake the work experience and to the council who are offering this opportunity.'