An unemployed warehouseman hopes the job offers will soon be stacking up after he spent a few days with army instructors.

Nicholas Elliott, 29, of Almondbury, was one of 27 jobseekers – each with an interest in the Army Reserve – who were given the chance to take part in a scheme to help them find civilian work.

The candidates, most aged between 18 and 24 spent a week at Altcar Training Camp near Liverpool living in communal accommodation, getting personal fitness instruction, tackling the camp’s military obstacle course and undergoing basic training.

The programme was designed to test leadership, teamwork and problem solving skills while building self-confidence, motivation, communication and organisation skills.

At the end of the week, 20 had applied to join the Army Reserve – but even those who hadn’t said the project had made them more motivated and confident of finding a job.

Nicholas, who was told about the scheme by an employment adviser, said: “I’ve been out of work for two years and wanted to do something positive with my life to get it back on track and into employment – preferably in construction.

“This week has given me a lot of motivation. One of the highlights was the night time exercise we did in the dunes outside of camp. Being part of a team tasked with collecting items from under the noses of ‘enemy’ positions – it was a great experience.”

Maj Mark Ascott, one of those running the Armed Forces Employability Pathways scheme, said: “The aim is to take long-term unemployed people and put them in a position where they are better equipped to get jobs, whilst also giving them an insight into the range of careers available in the army and the army reserve.”

The experience has been set up with the help of Jobcentre Plus, employers including Carillion and the Department for Work and Pensions.

The Army instruction was just the first week in a six-week process which will see the participants offered training and certification which will allow them to begin pursuing their chosen trade, culminating with the opportunity to take up work placements and job interviews.