Get down to the Get Oldham Working careers fair

Oldham Council has reminded residents about Get Oldham Working’s Career and Apprenticeship Fair next Wednesday, following two recent closure announcements.

Digital retail firm Shop Direct have outlined plans to close its centres in Shaw and Chadderton, while Carpetright have also announced the closure of their store at Elk Mill Retail Park in Royton.

Local authority chiefs are disappointed that workers are set to lose their jobs, and the priority is to support all those affected.

Opportunities across various employment sectors will be available at the upcoming Career and Apprenticeship Fair, with a wide range of apprenticeships, work experience, training courses and jobs on offer from various employers within the borough and beyond.

Employers attending this event include Barclays, North West Ambulance Services and O2, along with Greater Manchester Police (GMP), Lloyds Bank, Web Applications, Greater Manchester Fire service and many more.

One of the great myths around apprenticeships is that they are exclusive to the younger generation – this is incorrect.

It doesn’t matter if you are 18 or 40, apprenticeships are open to anyone over the age of 16 and there is no upper age limit.

If you have been affected by the recent closure news and you think the GOW team can help, or if you’re job hunting for the first time, looking for a return to work, or searching for the next step in your career, this event is open to everyone and it’s free to attend – just turn up on the day.

Working in partnership with Jobcentre Plus, the National Careers Service, and Ingeus, the fair runs from 9am-2pm on Wednesday, April 18 at Oldham Library and Lifelong Learning Centre, Greaves Street, OL1 1AL.

Staff from the GOW team and other partners will be available to advise you about careers, apprenticeships and access to training.

There will also be plenty of space for you to complete any applications that you pick up, with additional support on hand in case you get stuck with any questions.

Don’t worry if you have your little ones with you. There will be story time sessions in the library at 10am, 11am and 12 noon, so there’s no excuse to miss out.

Helen Lockwood, Executive Director for Economy, Skills and Neighbourhoods, said: “We were disappointed to hear the news of these planned closures and I’m sure this is really difficult for the staff and their families affected.

“Our Get Oldham Working team are ready to offer our help and support to staff, and with our Career and Apprenticeship Fair coming up next week – I’d urge anyone to attend if you think we can offer support.

“These events have proved to be a great success in securing residents with employment in the past and they also open up new avenues of opportunity.”

Make sure you follow the Get Oldham Working team via social media in the build-up to the Career and Apprenticeship Fair event for all of the latest updates - Facebook: @GetOldhamWorking / Twitter: @EmployOldham

If you cannot attend on the day it’s now even easier to contact the GOW team.

They are located on the first floor of Metropolitan Place, Hobson Street, Oldham, OL1 1TT – across the road from the Job Centre Plus – and operate an ‘open door’ policy.

This means residents of working age can go along – without an appointment – and speak to a careers advisor, weekdays 9am until 4pm. 

Contact the GOW team via their website www.oldham.gov.uk/gow, by email: employability@oldham.gov.uk or by telephone on 0161 770 4674.