A SCHEME to help people find work following redundancy is helping more people into jobs, according to new research.

Almost three-quarters (74%) of people helped by the Scottish Government's Partnership Action for Continuing Employment (Pace) initiative in 2012 secured jobs after being made redundant. This compared to 51% of people surveyed in 2010, the ­Scottish Government said.

Between April 2013 and December 2013, Pace supported 7609 individuals and 222 employers. The initiative is delivered by Skills Development Scotland in conjunction with other partners and provides guidance and support to help reduce the time people are out of work.

Finance Secretary John ­Swinney said: "We are still ­operating in a very difficult economic climate and we are concerned at the impact redundancy has on individuals and their families.

"That's why the work of our Pace teams is so important in minimising the time people who have been made redundant are out of work and helping them into further employment."

Among those helped was former machine operator Maciej Gliszcysnski, who was among 1700 workers made redundant from Hall's of Broxburn. He said: "I spoke with the Pace team and thanks to their help, my dream of starting my own joinery business became a reality,"