Among the many individuals that the TNG Stockton team has supported back into employment are a father and son, who have secured work at the same organisation.

In November 2009, Martin was referred to TNG on the Flexible New Deal programme. He had previously had a successful career with his own building company specialising in fire and flood restoration work for insurance claims. The company folded due to the economic climate and Martin began to look at alternative career options. He was no stranger to re-training since, prior to owning a building company, he was a Regional Director for a multinational retail group and an Operations Manager for a well established bridal wear company.

Martin worked closely with his Personal Job Adviser, Keely Jukes, to look for vacancies that would suit his skills and career ambitions. With extensive experience in the construction industry, Martin was offered a position with a national bird and pest control company on the condition that he gain the qualifications required for the position. TNG paid for Martin to complete an IPAF licensed Mobile Platform Operator training course and he secured the job, working on a new contract that the company had recently secured.

During this time, in February 2010, Martin's son Luke was also referred to TNG after losing his labouring job and unsuccessfully applying for the Army due to a medical condition. Having already made an offer of employment to Martin, his employers were impressed with Luke's attitude and motivation to get back to work and also offered him a position as a labourer, working on the same contract as his father.

TNG Personal Job Adviser for Martin and Luke, Keely Jukes, was delighted to support two generations of the Jones family back in to work. She commented:

"Martin and Luke are a perfect example of the cycle of mis-fortune that has affected thousands of families in the economic downturn. Desperate and willing to work, they just need an opportunity and some support in diversifying their qualifications and finding a new career. Not only was I able to find and fund the correct training for the work that they wanted to do but I was fortunate enough to be able to call on one of my contacts, who were not only taken by Martin and his skills and attitude but wanted to employ his son Luke as well. It's another great example of the work we do on the FND program in the Tees Valley!"

Martin and Luke attended our offices in Stockton