UNEMPLOYED people in Kates Hill can now take advantage of free training and one-to-one support to help them get a foot on the career ladder.

The new scheme launched today and aims to help people secure employment by offering help with CVs and interview technique plus a range of practical sessions including cooking, first aid and budgeting tips.

Anyone over the age of 18 who lives in the area and has been out of work for more than six months will be able to get support via the Government-backed City Deal scheme, led by Accord Housing Group in conjunction with training expert BCTG and Dudley Council's Adult and Community Learning team.

Every Wednesday, support workers from Just Straight Talk will spend the day working directly with jobseekers at The Citadel in North Street.

Dudley North MP Ian Austin said he has given the scheme his full support, adding: "We need to make education and skills our number one priority in Dudley because it’s the only way that we will attract new investment and jobs to the area.

“BCTG does brilliant work offering new skills and training to local young people and I am really pleased they are running these sessions in Kates Hill.

“The closure of the St Thomas Network has left a gap in the community and I hope that this will go some way in providing support to the community.”

For more information about the scheme, call 01902 256744.