EMPLOYMENT Minister Esther McVey visited Stourbridge to meet people who have been helped back into work by a Government-backed job scheme.

Thanks to the sector-based work academies scheme, 16 people have found permanent employment at the Brewers Fayre and Premier Inn sites in Birmingham Road.

The scheme gave the jobseekers training in the hospitality sector, work experience and a guaranteed job interview.

Overall, 60 people have been employed across the sites but Josh Pagett, from Kingswinford was one of the lucky few to get a job through the scheme.

The 20-year-old had been made redundant and was unemployed for 12 months prior to securing a front of house position at Brewers Fayre.

He said: "It was hard being unemployed and boring being stuck in the house. I heard about the scheme through the job centre, the process was really straightforward and I had a lot of support throughout. When I found out I had got the job, I hit the roof - I was ecstatic."

Sam Taylor, aged 18, from Amblecote, said the scheme had boosted her confidence, adding: "I can now talk in front of guests, before I was very shy."

Recruits are already seizing opportunities to climb the career ladder, including 38-year-old Neil Woodall, who recently completed his first shift as duty manager.

The former photocopier salesman from Lye, added: "It has been really good to be fast-tracked and to be offered that chance."

Over at the Premier Inn, Ben James, aged 20, from Stourbridge, said he was "very happy" to have secured a housekeeping position after being unsuccessful securing a receptionist role at another hotel.

Ms McVey said it was a pleasure to meet the new recruits and added: “Companies like Premier Inn and Brewers Fayre are giving local people a chance, and it’s rewarding to meet some of the young people today, whose dream of escaping unemployment and building a career is starting to become a reality.

"It's fantastic to see the transformation in people like Sam, who have gained confidence through the scheme.

“Throughout 2015 our frontline Jobcentre Plus staff will continue to work hard to help even more people get the fresh start they want this year.”