More than 260 jobs are to be created across the North East after companies were encouraged to invest in a new scheme which allows employees to work from home.

One North East's ground-breaking £1.1 million project, the Home Working Fund, set out a goal of creating 360 jobs within two years. First launched in November 2009, the scheme is well on track to achieving its target.

Within the first few months of operation, it had convinced Convergys and Gateshead-based Zodiac Training to get involved and it has since secured deals with three more companies, who have committed to creating a further 140 new jobs.

Homesource UK, 2Touch and Agile UK are the latest participants in the scheme, which is managed by Newcastle-based Entrust.

Bob Travers, managing director of Homesource UK, a home-based virtual call centre, said, “With modern technology, our call handlers can operate anywhere irrespective of geography.
“Our future operating plans will require us to double our workforce and invest in a new hub to manage our expanding home working team,” he added.

For the first time, Sunderland-based business contact centre, 2Touch, has agreed to test home workers and Stockton-based business development company Agile UK is putting home working at the centre of its growth plans.

The CEO of Agile UK spoke of the benefits to be gained from employees who work from home, saying that it 'contributed significantly' to the financial growth of the business as employees were 'more efficient,' and their improved job satisfaction would in turn boost customer satisfaction.