WARRINGTON Hospital has joined a Government initiative to help young people find work.

The NHS Trust has taken on clerical assistant Karen Newton under the New Deal scheme which is designed to find suitable jobs for 18 to 24-year-olds.

Karen, aged 20, of Sankey Bridges now works in the Human Resource Department and also has the chance to study for an NVQ in business administration and to develop keyboard and shorthand skills. In return, the hospital receives £60 per week from the Government towards her employment and £750 to offset training costs.

"I was really made up to get this job," said Karen, "especially as it includes training.

"I'm getting on really well and everyone is so friendly, I feel as if I fit in already. I had been trying for jobs and getting nowhere. It was really knocking my confidence, but I knew I'd get a break sooner or later."

A personal advisor from Warrington Job Centre ensured that Karen was a suitable candidate for the post and carefully matched her qualifications to the requirements of the hospital beforehand. She is the 40th person in Warrington to benefit from New Deal.

John Smith, District Support Manager for the North Cheshire Employment Services, said: "Employers benefit because they can tackle specific skill shortages and earn a cash incentive while doing so."

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