A scheme to help unemployed people back into work and training is to be relaunched by Sussex Enterprise.

The Star initiative, which provides valuable funds to employers who recruit and train people who have been unemployed for six months or longer, has helped over 1,100 companies and individuals in Sussex to date.

It has been successful in helping to reduce unemployment in the county, prompting Sussex Enterprise to to reintroduce the initiative to "incentivise" local companies once more.

Employers can apply for an initial sum of £400 to put towards training a new member of staff, provided the person is over 25 and registered unemployed. As a full member of Sussex Enterprise the figure increases to £500, with additional funds potentially available should further skills training be required.

Businesswoman Jennifer Woodhouse, owner of Huffle Nursery School in Heathfield, is enthusiastic about Star and has previously used it to employ two members of staff.

She said: "Sussex Enterprise has helped fund the relevant training to enable me to employ two mothers returning from maternity leave. I now have a qualified and reliable workforce and both employer and employee have benefited."

Alan Brooks, director of marketing and public affairs at Sussex Enteprise, said people looking for employment could also use Star to their advantage: "As an individual seeking work, you should bring Star to the attention of any prospective employer. It could help you to develop a new skill or enhance a current one."

Anyone interested should contact VT Training on 01902 212011 or CAREA on 01424 461490.

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