A SELF-TAUGHT computer programmer has criticised a Government employment scheme after failing to land more than 1,000 jobs.

Luckless Adam Rest, 22, of Canon Road, Bickley, has been trying to break into IT since he was 16.

Mr Rest, who has a three-year-old daughter, has taught himself to programme in 12 computer languages, design websites, manage networks and install servers.

But he says he gets rejected in favour of more experienced candidates and says the Government's New Deal scheme is doing nothing to help him gain experience and land a job.

Mr Rest said: "I do not think the New Deal is working.

"How do you get the experience if you cannot get the opportunity?"

He says he cannot afford to pay for courses and sit exams to get official qualifications because he has to spend his Jobseeker's Allowance to support his daughter.

Mr Rest wants Bromley Job Centre to help him by sending him on courses to get qualifications and work placements to get experience.

But he says he is only offered manual jobs such as road sweeping and garden maintenance or the option of leaving the scheme and paying for computing courses himself.

Mr Rest said: "The New Deal website talks about kickstarting your career but what is there for IT? They are not recognising my qualifications."

A Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) spokesman said: "People cannot keep on receiving benefits indefinitely so if they cannot get into their chosen field they would be asked to widen their job search."

The New Deal is a Government scheme run through job centres by the DWP to get people back into work. It is compulsory for jobseekers aged from 18 to 24 and for those aged 25 and over who are claiming Jobseeker's Allowance.

l What do you think of Mr Rest's predicament? Write to News Shopper, Mega House, Crest View Drive, Petts Wood, BR5 1BT or email mramsden@london.newsquest.co.uk