TENS of thousands of jobseekers throughout the north-east and the rest of Scotland are set to benefit from a new employment programme targeted at helping those who have lost jobs in the pandemic.

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JETS (Job Entry Targeted Support) is backed by a £21.7 million investment in Scotland and comes on top of the £8.6 billion already provided to Scotland by the UK government as part of its comprehensive response to the pandemic.

Targeting those out of work for three months or more, JETS will see the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) boost support for claimants to give jobseekers access to the tailored, flexible support needed to quickly move back into employment.

Jobseekers will also receive specialist advice on how they can move into growing sectors where jobs are available, as well as CV and interview guidance.

The programme has already had early successes across England and Wales since it launched in October – with more than 40,000 jobseekers referred to the programme in its first 50 days, equating to around 800 per day.

The tailored programme also gives job hunters the boost they need to return to employment through an action plan agreed with their personal adviser, peer support and signposting to opportunities to build vital skills.

Secretary of State for Work and Pensions Thérèse Coffey said: “As JETS lifts off in Scotland, we are giving people the skills and confidence needed to fuel their job search, take up new opportunities and get back into work.

“Our Plan for Jobs continues to protect livelihoods and open up opportunities in every region and nation of Great Britain, and with the roll-out of the vaccine there is light at the end of the tunnel as we build back better.”

UK Government Minister for Scotland, Iain Stewart added: “Today we launch JETS in Scotland, a new UK Government employment programme worth £21.7 million to help Scots unemployed due to the pandemic get back into work.

“We are committed to supporting people on this journey from building their confidence during a job search, to CV and interview guidance to advice on growing sectors that are hiring.

“JETS is part of the UK government’s Plan for Jobs through which billions have been invested to protect, support and create employment.

“This direct investment is on top of £8.6 billion upfront funding given to the Scottish Government to help its response to the pandemic.”

Helping run the new initiative is Capita Government Services.

The firm's CEO, Andy Start, said: “The Covid-19 pandemic has created unprecedented challenges to the economy and for jobseekers trying to find new roles.

"We have used our extensive experience designing and delivering digital services, which support diverse groups of vulnerable people, to develop our approach for the JETS programme and support the UK’s economic recovery.

“Through expert coaching, and our new Capita-developed digital platform, we hope to support many jobseekers in Scotland to make the transition from unemployment into work.”

As the UK Government continues to drive forward with its Plan for Jobs, the launch of JETS in Scotland comes after the DWP announced over 120,000 Kickstart jobs, and improvements to the Scheme earlier this week, which offers fully-funded six-month placements for 16-25 year-olds.

From next month it will be possible for employers looking to offer any number of placements with training to apply directly to the Kickstart Scheme as the Department removes the 30 limit threshold. For employers who do not have a PAYE system or need help providing the proper support, they can continue to apply through one of the more than 500 registered Kickstart Gateway organisations – as they continue to play an important role in making a success of the scheme.

For more information, go to https://jobhelp.campaign.gov.uk/jets/