The JIGSAW programme is managed by Thomas Rotherham College and offers high growth sector businesses, located in South Yorkshire, funding to recruit and train an individual for a period of 6 months. The programme can support a business that is planning to recruit an additional member of staff and needs assistance in finding and funding the additional staff member.

Paul Reeves head of business development said "Jigsaw will provide funding for you to take on new staff and train them. The funding covers the first six months of the new employee's time with the business. The funding available starts at £2,250 for the first new staff member, and is on a sliding scale, dependent on how many staff the business takes on as part of the programme. The funding is paid in 3 instalments: the first payment is made on the start of the employment and completion of the training plan; the second payment is made on completion of the business skills training and the third payment is made at the end of the six month period, on completion of the accredited training".

Jigsaw can also help with recruitment of staff. The programme has a ‘pool’ of pre-selected, potential employees, with a wide range of skills, who we can recommend to an employer for a particular vacancy. Alternatively the business is able to source employees through their own recruitment process.

Lynn Wallis, employer engagement manager at Thomas Rotherham College added "The business employs the Jigsaw trainee as a member of their staff on a temporary contract and commits to give the JIGSAW trainee a Job Interview Guarantee at the end of their six month employment placement. The individual is guaranteed a job interview – not necessarily a job. The business will also commit to developing and implementing a training plan with the JIGSAW trainee".


Businesses in the following high growth sectors are eligible for Jigsaw support: Advanced Manufacturing & Metals, Bioscience, Business, Professional & Financial Services, Creative & Digital Industries, Environmental & Energy Technologies. The business must also be located in South Yorkshire

To find out more:
Contact Paul Reeves or Philip Luscombe on 0114 201 8933 or email: This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it