22/10/2026
Darlington Employment Initiative (DEI) is helping businesses grow and retain their workforce supporting young residents age 18-21 who are not in employment, education or training into paid work placements where they can build skills, confidence and valuable experience.
The service has also expanded its team to provide dedicated support for working-age adults with physical or mental health conditions, including those who have been signed off work, lost their job due to ill health or disability, or face complex barriers to employment; recently relocating to a more accessible base at Enterprise House on Valley Street, making it easier for people with disabilities to get support.
Since August 2025 DEI has worked with 65 actively recruiting local employers to match more than 100 local young people with vacancies across a range of sectors, giving participants the chance to demonstrate their abilities as part of an extended work trial and employers the opportunity to recruit and develop new talent with reduced financial risk.
This has been possible thanks to funding from Tees Valley Combined Authority (TVCA) as part of the Department of Work and Pension's Youth Trailblazer Guarantee Programme.
Shape Patisserie & Bake and its sister businesses, Banqo, Influence Café and Number 8 Bakehouse were among those which benefited from this support. The growing local hospitality group, which had experienced ongoing challenges recruiting skilled bakers and front-of-house staff, were able to offer nine young people paid opportunities to learn new skills and gain hands-on experience in the hospitality sector.
The funding enabled the business to invest time and resources into training the new recruits, removing many of the barriers associated with recruitment and workforce development. In turn, participants were given the support, stability and time needed to develop their skills and thrive in the workplace.
Of the nine recruits, eight were employed on a permanent basis including 20-year-old Gabriel Howard, who now works as an assistant chef at Shape Patisserie & Bake. Before starting his work placement with the company, Gabriel was homeless and living on the streets.
He said: "This opportunity has been life changing and made finding a job straightforward and accessible. Not only have I developed practical skills and gained valuable work experience in a supportive environment, but I've also grown in confidence and, most importantly, I can now afford a place to live."
Councillor Chris McEwan, cabinet member for economy, Darlington Borough Council said: "There is a lot of young talent in Darlington and initiatives like this play an important role in raising aspirations and making sure our residents realise their potential. They also help minimise recruitment costs, support smaller businesses and help our local economy to grow and thrive."
Visit our website and search 'DEI' for more information about the initiative or read the full story in the news section.
