A Tremadog man who was furloughed and then made redundant from his job last year has found work again thanks to a scheme set up in response to the pandemic.

Because of Covid-19, David Jones, 63, was furloughed and subsequently made redundant from his position as a barman last October.

A diabetic who suffers with memory loss, David found his conditions deteriorating because of the isolation that lockdown caused.

He suffered further health problems as a result, but was supported into an ideal job through JETS Wales delivered by Remploy, an employment programme set up to tackle unemployment resulting from the pandemic.

When he was referred to the Job Entry:Targeted Support (JETS) programme in June, he was uncertain whether he would find alternative employment. He said: “I had resigned myself to not ever working again!

“Isolation made my memory worse.

!I put post-it notes all over my house, as reminders, and when I worked in the pub, I had to carry a notepad with my ‘to do’ list on it otherwise I forgot what I needed to do.”

Supported by Ceri Hughes, Remploy’s Recruitment Advisor, David updated his CV, received one-to-one development and interview coaching.

He successfully applied and interviewed for a bar position with Bourne Leisure Holiday Park and started in July.

“I was a little concerned that I would be working in a much busier environment than I was used to, but this is a quiet, members only bar.

“It suits me perfectly. ‘David shows the welcome pack he received on joining the JETS scheme’

“JETS has supported me to find the ideal role. Thank you.”

JETS is a new programme launched across Wales supporting more than 15,000 back to work. Funded by the Department for Work and Pensions, it is delivered by Remploy.

CEO Gareth Parry said: “JETS is a new service that will support thousands of people to move back into the labour market in response to the pandemic. We’re committed to helping people in communities right across Wales to access support during this challenging time, using digital tools to make the service accessible to everyone who needs it.”