Nub News has been successful in its application to join in the Kickstart Scheme to give two community journalist hopefuls an avenue into the industry.

Using the Suffolk Chamber of Commerce gateway, Nub News went through a process with the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) to be accepted onto the government scheme. We will employ two community reporters aged between 16-24 for Felixstowe Nub News, along with its sister sites in Hadleigh and the Shotley peninsula. We are also looking to expand into other towns, including Woodbridge, in the near future.

Applicants will come from those people already signed on to Universal Credit and seeking employment through the DWP Job Centres and allocated work coaches.

The DWP will cover the cost of 25 hours' work a week at the National Minimum Wage plus the associated employer National Insurance contributions and employer minimum automatic enrolment contributions for six months.

Karl Hancock, Nub News chief executive, believes the Kickstart Scheme is an outstanding platform for people to gain valuable paid work experience and take that first step into the journalism industry.

"The scheme fits in perfectly with Nub News' community ethos," said Mr Hancock. "Young people that live within the area they will cover, will be given professional on the job training in a variety of aspects in community reporting.

"The six months work could easily lead to a full time job, either with Nub News, or other outlets, depending on how they want to spread their wings."

Felixstowe Nub News initially learnt about the Kickstart Scheme from the Suffolk Chamber of Commerce and decided that as well as reporting the initiate, to see if it could get involved.

Kickstart coordinator Emma Alderton from the Suffolk Chamber of Commerce said: "The Suffolk Gateway Partnership is delighted to be supporting Nub News through the Kickstart Scheme.

"The scheme itself has seen great success in providing Suffolk's young people with employment opportunities that otherwise wouldn't be available, and we are proud of the Suffolk business community who have shown great levels of support for the scheme."

Regional editor (Suffolk) Derek Davis said: "I'm not great with loads of red tape, and I have to admit as this was a government scheme I was very sceptical. But I have to say Emma was incredibly patient, methodical and efficient, so the process was relatively painless, and here we are.

"I can't wait to start interviewing applicants and setting someone on the pathway to a new career."