Cheshire-based company International Pheromone Systems has helped a young graduate to secure his first job thanks to the Government’s KickStart Scheme.

Matthew Halton,25, who lives in nearby Neston was struggling to find a job and doing voluntary work when he heard about IPS through the Kickstart Scheme and sent in his CV. He was asked to attend an interview and was thrilled to be offered a position.

Matthew studied Computer Game Design at Stafford University but couldn’t find a job locally due to issues like the pandemic. He can now walk to work and is delighted to be working for a company that is an international leader in the field of ecological and environmentally sustainable pest management solutions. His role includes sales support, digital marketing, helping with branding and using his computer skills to create 3D models of traps.

He said: “I am really enjoying my new role at IPS, learning about insect pheromones and how we can monitor and control insets. I feel very fortunate to have been given this opportunity to develop new skill sets and work for such an excellent company. I hope I can stay with IPS and keep learning and eventually work my way up the ladder.”

IPS Managing Director Graeme Hartley added: “As a company we are very keen to support local people and provide opportunities for them. The Kickstart Scheme is excellent for companies like ours as it offers Government support while also being hugely beneficial for young people by helping them into employment. Matthew is proving to be a valuable member of the team and, in turn, he will gain some excellent experience with us that will help to change his life and prospects.”

The Kickstart Scheme provides funding to create new jobs for 16 to 24 year olds on Universal Credit who are at risk of long-term unemployment.

International Pheromone Systems is a customer-orientated company with 35 years of experience in developing, producing and supplying high-quality insect pheromone and kairomone formulations and associated trapping systems to a growing international customer base. The company specialises in supplying semiochemical lures, formulated liquid attractants and traps to monitor and manage insect pests and promoting sustainable Integrated Pest Management (IPM) within agricultural, horticultural, forestry, storage and urban settings.

A core value of the company is to promote and support Integrated Pest Management programs which offer ecological and environmentally sustainable solutions to pest management.