200 Local London residents secure jobs through JETS scheme
The Local London Work and Health Programme Job Entry: Targeted Support (JETS) scheme has has helped its 200th client into work.
Since the start of JETS, in October 2020, the scheme has received huge numbers of referrals, evidence of the damaging impact that COVID-19 has had on East London.
Over 3,200 residents from across the eight Local London boroughs and Bromley have joined the scheme, which provides up to 6 months of support from employment advisers to help them to get back into work.
Within four months of operating, the scheme has already helped hundreds of people back into work, changing the lives of many people and families. Like Ian Baker*, licenced forklift driver, from Enfield, who was one of the peopleĀ the scheme has helped back to work.
It made my kidsā Christmas and mine!
When Ian was referred to the JETS scheme he was doubtful that it would help, but as a self-confessed ānatural providerā he was prepared to try anything to get a job and look after his family.
Ian saysĀ āI couldnāt believe it when I got the phone call to say I start work on Mondayā¦When I was first introduced to the scheme I didnāt think it would work because you get told about these courses and most of the time itās against threat of sanctionsā¦I was in dire need. I was on Universal Credit and it wasnāt enough for me to live on or provide for my family. Iām a natural provider, I wanted to work! So, I thought āokayā letās give it a shot.
āI spoke to the first adviser, Farzana, and answered her questions. She sounded nice and pleasant and said she would help. Then later that day I got a call from Rob, a second adviser, and the next day, you wonāt believe it, he calls and he tells me heās got me a job!ā
But this job wasnāt to be. Ian and Rob, his adviser, discussed a potential labourer role, but this didnāt make use of Ianās experience and skills as a licenced forklift driver. So, Rob decided against putting him forward for it, and Ian thought that he would hear nothing more.
Ian continues āThen the next thing I know, he calls again and he said āif youāre ready, you can start as a forklift driver here on Monday.ā And when he told me that ā and Iām a strong person ā I was nearly in tears because I knew heād saved my kidsā Christmas and mineā¦.
āJust before he called me, I had been told another job had gone. And it was the fifth call like that, that morning and Iād been applying, and applying, and applying. And I could not find a anything. So I owe JETS everything, theyāre great, theyāre fantastic! ā¦Itās so effective, they found me a job in about a day! Itās better than the agencies. And I was signed up to like 25 agencies, and I was calling them all several times a day to see if they had a job and nothing. I owe JETS and I mean it from the bottom of my heart.ā

Farzana Muradi, JETS Adviser, said āHelping hundreds of people like Ian get back into employment is really rewarding for me. Knowing that I made a difference to his and many other peopleās lives is an amazing feeling!ā

Rob Smith, JETS Regional Account Manager, who found Ian his job, added “Knowing that Ian had been out of work for a longer period of time than he would have liked, I was really pleased to be able to help him so quickly. Itās such a great feeling! Itās really great being part of the JETS programme and helping many people like Ian get their careers and lives back on track following a troublesome and trying year.”
JETS offers rapid help people find a job in a range of sectors, trades and professions from beauty technicians to labourers, to office assistants to branch managers, and everything in between. The scheme also supports people to learn new skills, build their CV, and engage with local employers.
The programme is funded by the Department for Work and Pensions and delivered on behalf of Local London by Maximus UK, our Work and Health Programme provider. Maximus UK are working with hundreds of employers in our boroughs to give them access to skilled local candidates.
In line with Government guidance and restrictions in place across London, the service is largely delivered remotely via online video, phone and email.
For more information on the JETS, visit theĀ programme website.
*Name has been changed.