Success Doncaster

June 2010

Looking for the right candidate to fill your vacancy? Want to help local people into employment at the same time? Then Jobmates could have the right person for you.

The Jobmates programme, funded by Success Doncaster, aims to maximise and assist the residents of Doncaster into employment, by helping employers find the staff they need to fill their vacant positions. The service is completely free and offers dedicated, hard working and ambitious candidates who are ready to start work immediately.

The scheme also continues to offer ongoing, quality support to the candidates once employment has commenced. This can include helping the person overcome any barriers they may have with getting to and from work, finding the right clothing and materials necessary for their roles, and essentially, offering a tailor made package of support relevant to the individual’s needs.

Jobmates has already made a significant impact to the number of individuals being assisted into employment in Doncaster. Hagan’s Nurseries and Derek Lewis Ltd are two examples of how businesses and Doncaster residents have benefited from this exciting initiative.

Hagan’s Nurseries is a family run Doncaster business established since 1854. The garden centre, based in Branton, approached Jobmates for help with recruiting two extra staff who live locally for seasonal job vacancies.

Using the job descriptions the Nursery provided, Jobmates were able to signpost two potential applicants to the posts. Chris and Carl were both previously unemployed and had turned to Jobmates to improve their prospects and progress in their careers.

Within weeks of being referred, both met with David Hagan, a Partner of Hagan’s Nursery who was impressed with their hard working and motivated attitudes and took them on straight away. 

Chris said, “I told my Jobmate that I was interested in a practical job close to where I live and was referred to Hagan’s. After an informal interview, I was asked to start work the following Monday; it was as easy as that. I love my job at the Nursery - it is a great environment to work in and I have made lots of new friends. Plus, it’s just a bike ride away from my house.”

Carl agrees that the whole process has boosted his confidence and that the Jobmates support and advice has been central to his development – he has also recommended other unemployed friends to the service.

For more information on Hagan’s Nursery call: 01302 538708

Similarly, Derek Lewis Ltd were able to successfully fill job vacancies within their company with the help of the Jobmates programme.

Derek Lewis Ltd is a Doncaster based road surfacing and construction company who have been in business for over 36 years. With an ever expanding team of 25 qualified members of staff, Jobmates have been supporting the company with their recruitment process.

Darren Rhodes, Managing Director, said, “Working with Jobmates was simple – I called them, provided them with a job description and within days they had matched a selection of their clients to my vacancy. I invited the candidates to interview and successfully filled the post.

Mark has been with us now for a few weeks and he is doing really well. I will definitely contact Jobmates again with any future job vacancies.”

For more information about Derek Lewis Ltd, contact: 01302 875078 or info@dereklewis.co.uk or visit the website: www.dereklewis.co.uk

Employers, why not take full advantage of the Jobmates umbrella of support and make the recruitment process hassle free and cost effective for YOU. Get your vacancies filled fast by calling 07817 084152 or email: Annette.ramsay@northdoncaster.org.uk

Need support with finding a job, call the Success Doncaster hotline today: 01302 734554 or email: jobmates@northdoncaster.org.uk