A young man who struggled to find work after leaving college says his life has been transformed since securing a job with a family-owned company in Mossley.

Mike Essue, from Denton, was unemployed for more than a year after leaving Hyde Clarendon Sixth Form College – despite achieving A-levels in IT, law, business studies and English Literature.

He found out about Future Jobs Fund opportunities being offered by Tameside Metropolitan Borough Council, and secured a six-month paid placement at wood recycling firm Plevin.

The 21-year-old impressed Plevin so much in his role as trainee sales administrator that he was offered a permanent position.

That was a year ago, and Mike has since developed to become a vital member of the sales team. He has recently completed an NVQ level 3 in customer service and is tipped to have a bright future ahead of him.
Plevin sales manager Colin Smith said: “Mike did a fantastic job during his placement and we had no hesitation in taking him on as a permanent employee.

“He hasn’t let us down since then. Everyone here at Plevin is pleased with his progress, and he has become a highly valued employee in a relatively short period of time.”

Plevin is one of the UK’s leading wood processing and recycling companies.

It collects, processes and distributes 600,000 tonnes of wood a year and prevents 200,000 tonnes of waste going to landfill annually.

Family-owned Plevin purchased the Mossley site, also its head office, in late 1995. The company now employs 65 people there – 54 of whom live within 10 miles.

Mike said: “It’s very tough out there for young people in the jobs market at the moment, so I guess I’m one of the lucky ones.

“Plevin is a good company to work for. I’ve learnt lots of new skills and gained a qualification. I’m pleased the company decided to show faith in me by taking me on as an employee.”

Plevin sources waste wood from council civic amenity sites, skip hire firms, pallet manufacturers and joinery workshops to create a range of sustainable products.

These include animal bedding, cat litter, wood shavings and wood chips.

In late 2011 Plevin announced major growth plans after being awarded an exclusive contract by E.ON to supply waste timber for a £120m biomass-fired renewable energy plant at Blackburn Meadows, near Sheffield.

The £1bn Future Jobs Fund has been abolished as part of the coalition government’s spending cuts.