FATHER-OF-ONE Robert McIntyre doesn't hesitate in crediting the Future Jobs Fund (FJF) scheme with helping turn his life around.

And the 24-year-old is equally certain on his feelings about the project being shelved.

"It helped me and I would like other people to benefit from it," he said.

Robert, from Bentilee, pictured, has been working as a housing welfare administrator for housing association Epic since June and has been guaranteed a job for a year.

The former Biddulph High School pupil was taken on as part of the FJF after struggling to find work following the birth of daughter Emma.

"I was working in telesales and asked if I could take three days off a week as my girlfriend Jodie needed me," he said."But I was fired for not making enough sales."

Having worked as a joiner and in sales and marketing, Robert found his CV didn't attract any employers.

"After leaving the telesales job I decided to go on the dole as I was annoyed at how I had been treated," he says. "There came a point where I wanted to find work. But it was so hard."

After hearing Epic was recruiting, Robert went into their Bentilee office and landed an interview and job.

Robert, who lives with his 19-year-old girlfriend and Emma, aged two, added:

"The scheme has helped me and I now feel confident in going for other jobs if my contract isn't renewed."