Two young men are looking forward to a brighter future after they found full-time work under a new government scheme.

The Youth Contract offers businesses a wage incentive of up to £2,275 to recruit 18 to 24-year-olds, and help them out of long-term unemployment.

Jon Bones manages a fishing bait and tackle firm and has just taken on two men from Dartford under the new project.

Charles Tutt and George Keneston are now full time employees at Solar Tackle, in Saunders Way, Dartford.

They each did eight weeks work experience there, arranged through the Jobcentre, and at the end of it the pair were offered full time placements.

Mr Tutt, 20, said: “I’m really grateful for the help I got at the Jobcentre, and for the opportunity to prove myself at Solar Tackle. I’m enjoying what I do, and just having a job makes me feel good.”

Mr Keneston, 24, is equally pleased.

Mr Bones said: “The wage incentive is a real bonus for us, but more importantly we’ve got great new members of staff in Charles and George.”

The new recruits had both been out of work for more than six months before landing their jobs.

Mr Bones added: “Recruiting through the Jobcentre’s work experience scheme gives you the chance to see a candidate in action before making any permanent decisions.

“The problem with a CV alone is you’re not able to gauge whether someone will fit in with the business, or how they go about their work and those are important factors when deciding whether or not to take someone on.”

Mr Bones has also provided work experience placements for three other young Dartford jobseekers through the scheme, which was rolled out last year.

The government has budgeted for 160,000 wage incentives to be given across Britain and so far, 4,690 have been paid out – meaning the same number of young people are now in full-time employment under the Youth Contract.

To be eligible you must be between 18 and 24 and have been out of work for at least six months, or attached to the Work Programme through a Jobcentre.

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