A HAIRDRESSER has become York’s first Jobseeker to benefit from the Government’s new wage incentive scheme.

Jamie Leigh Emmonds, a qualified hairdresser, was matched to a vacancy at the Mediterranean Barber Shop in Goodramgate, York, by her Jobcentre adviser Bruce Murray Shop owner Ali Arda has employed Jamie Leigh under the wage incentive scheme, which encourages employers to give young people aged between 18 and 24 who have been unemployed for at least six months the opportunity to gain employment.

Employers are paid £2,275 if they provide full-time employment of 30 hours or more a week, or £1,137.50 for part-time employment between 16 and 29 hours a week for a minimum of 26 weeks.

Mr Arda said: “In this current difficult economic climate for both small businesses and young people the extra money we will receive from the wage incentive has allowed us to offer Jamie Leigh more hours of work than we would ordinarily have been able to. The extra pair of hands has given us more flexibility within our business to focus on other areas; we are really pleased to give her the opportunity to learn our trade and help with her future career.”