A 20-year-old who gained a job at Jaguar Land Rover after working with a CSR body has given the scheme his backing.

Alex Kempson secured the job after linking up with Business in the Community (BITC) which supports disadvantaged groups of care leavers, NEETS (young people not in education, employment or training) and ex-offenders, back on the road to employment.

As well as JLR, BITC also works with Morrison, GF Tomlinson and Wates Living Space.

The year long project, part of Birmingham’s Working Neighbourhood Fund programme, has so far engaged 62 clients, all of whom were facing barriers to employment such as not having any qualifications or lack of work experience.

The work placements have lasted between two to six weeks and gave clients the opportunity to do a real job.

Mr Kempson had been unemployed since leaving collegw and was offered a job after a three-week work placement to give him experience in the industry.

He said: “I’ve been at Jaguar Land Rover four months now and everyone has been really great to me.

Having the job has really turned my life around. I’ve learnt so much and am feeling much more confident now and looking forward to the future.

I’m making plans to move to a place of my own and also learn to drive.”

April Wickens, community relations officer at JLR, said: “We were pleased to support and participate in this Business in the Community initiative which demonstrates Jaguar Land Rover’s commitment to the local community. This is a real success story and resulted in the perfect outcome for Alex.”