A NEW scheme to find full-time work is bringing fresh hope for the jobless in Burnley's unemployment blackspots.

Unemployed people in the south west district of Burnley, the town centre and parts of Daneshouse and Stoneyholme are being targeted in a major campaign to get them off the dole queue and into full-time and permanent jobs.

Outreach workers have been appointed to make contact with the jobless who can benefit from Burnley's Urban Regeneration Challenge Fund employment and training charter, which guarantees a full-time job with training for nationally-recognised qualifications.

The outreach workers have been appointed by new Era Enterprises Ltd who are promoting the charter and have signed up many local employers who get financial help when they agree to train new employees.

Project worker Anne Wrigley said: "This is not just another training scheme with nothing to show for it at the end.

"These are real jobs for people who are anxious to get back to work.''

Council leader Kath Reade, who also chairs the Challenge Fund committee, today urged the out-of-work to take advantage of the scheme.

She said: "The Challenge Fund has helped more than 120 people escape from the misery of being unemployed and it will help many more back to work.''

Other help includes benefits and financial advice, help with job applications and CVs, assessment, guidance and information about employment, training and education.

Anyone who thinks they could benefit from the project should call Burnley 663000 and ask for Phil Bentley, or Burnley 450536 and ask for Anne Wrigley or one of the outreach workers.

Employers who do not need to have premises in the Challenge Fund area should ring Burnley Job Centre on 663000 and ask for Gordon Smith for more details.

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