A COLCHESTER businessman says a move to get unemployed young people into work has boosted his business.

Mark Bloom, director and owner of the White Dragon Activity Centre in Colchester, has taken on two trainees through the Kickstart Essex scheme.

The scheme, which launched in March last year, has helped 250 young people get into work so far.

In turn £1million has been paid to businesses across the county to support things like training.

The scheme has also supported smaller businesses, helping them access funding, as well as supporting young people during their placements and enabling many to develop the new skills needed to be successful in their future careers.

The support has resulted in 87 per cent of young people completing the scheme across Essex being offered a job or apprenticeship.

Although the scheme is no longer accepting new participants, there are many young people across Essex still completing their training.

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Mr Bloom was keen to preserve and enhance the biodiversity of his centre’s five-acre woodland site, while also growing his business.

However, he found that the obstacles of the past few years made achieving his vision tough.

Mr Bloom said: “I had been thinking about taking on staff for a few years and this scheme alleviated some of the financial worry surrounding employing new trainees who had yet to develop any of the necessary skills.”

The impact of Mark’s two Kickstarters was so positive he decided to employ them once they had completed their six-month training as apprentices so that they could continue to develop some unique green skills.

As well as becoming talented archers and shooters, White Dragon’s newest employees learnt how to care for the semi-coppiced woodland in which they work.

Essex county councillor Tony Ball, who is the cabinet member for education excellence, lifelong learning and employability, said: “£1million for local businesses is great news for the Essex economy.

“Our investment in Kickstart Essex has not only helped to leverage this money from central government, but it is also delivering tremendous outcomes for young people and businesses alike.”