A PROJECT has been launched to get newly-unemployed people back into work more quickly.

And Huddersfield employers have been urged to get involved.

Organisers of the scheme, Best 4 Work, aim to help 2,000 people back into work across West Yorkshire.

As part of the project, two Huddersfield training firms are spearheading a drive to get 300 people into work in the Kirklees and Calderdale areas.

Highfields-based CMS Vocational Training Services Ltd and A&R Training Services Ltd, of Lion Chambers, John William Street, have joined forces to run the scheme in those areas. Both are well-establised training providers with experience of running job creation projects.

Best 4 Work is unusual because it targets newly-unemployed people.

Most employment training schemes are aimed at people who have been jobless for six months or more.

Ruth Triggs, managing director of CMS, said the companies were now hunting for employers to offer vacancies under the scheme.

She said: "We will work with employers to identify what skills they need and we will do our best to find someone suitable for their vacancy.

"The employer has the opportunity to take someone on for a four-week work trial.

"The employer must guarantee the candidate an interview at the end of that period - and hopefully be in a position to offer them a permanent position."

Said Ruth: "Some of the employers we already work with have said they are very interested in taking people."

The project, which is backed by European funding, will run for 18 months.

Ruth said: "Our experience shows that people made redundant are very keen in the first few days of unemployment to get back into work.

"We don't want to lose that motivation.

"The longer people are unemployed, the more demotivated and demoralised they become.

"This is an opportunity to find work from `day one'."

Ruth said CMS and A&R already had vast experience of helping firms seek new recruits.

She said: "Some companies may need 20 or 30 people.

"Others will need just one or two.

"We can provide people with the initial skills they need to get a job and work with them and the employer to get them further qualifications."