Just the job

JOBS fair at QE Hall with Victoria Melia (Get Oldham Working), Di Heffernan (Mayoress), Councillor Derek Heffernan (Mayor) and Jonathan Phillips (Get Oldham Working)

THE Get Oldham Working programme is to be extended for another four years, with the aim of creating an extra 5,000 employment opportunities for job-seekers.

Furthermore, Oldham Council is launching a new scheme for people already in work to boost their skills, career prospects and salaries. Get Oldham Working was originally launched in 2013 with the aim of creating 2,015 employment opportunities by the year 2015. It offers help to find jobs, training or work placements plus support with job applications, interviews and CVs.

It has been supported by the Oldham Evening Chronicle and achieved its target nine months ahead of schedule by providing 1,184 jobs, 342 apprenticeships and 643 trainee and work experience opportunities across 179 businesses.

Following the early success, the scheme has continued operating with bigger ambitions.

News of the four-year extension has come from Oldham Council's director of economy and skills, Tom Stannard, and political leader, Councillor Jean Stretton, during an interview for the next edition of the Oldham Evening Chronicle's quarterly business magazine, Oldham Business Edge.

Mr Stannard joined Oldham Council in 2015 and his role focuses on economic growth, regeneration, employment and job skills.

In the interview, he said: "Over the next four years the Get Oldham Working campaign is looking to engage with 6,000 residents and fill 5,000 work-related opportunities. This shows the commitment of the council and its partners to create more jobs.

"We aim to fill more job vacancies with local recruits, such as we have done at the Old Town Hall Odeon cinema and restaurants."

Twenty-five former BHS staff were helped to find new roles at the Odeon cinema, cafe and restaurant development. So far, 80 per cent of successful applicants at the cinema and cafe development live in the borough - 48 out of 60 recruits. Three were previously long-term unemployed.

In another example of Get Oldham Working's activities, it is helping 300 furniture trade workers after Betta Living went into administration. The council is working with Job Centres and Betta Living administrators to assist workers and asking local businesses with suitable vacancies to contact the Get Oldham Working team.

Mr Stannard and Councillor Stretton said the council remains active with a range of developments to develop the area's economy and skills, despite the challenging times.

In addition to physical regeneration schemes such as the Odeon and Coliseum Theatre, they said the council is working on social regeneration and skills.

Councillor Stretton said: "We need to invest in skills and workforce issues to develop the local economy with better jobs and work progression."

Mr Stannard also highlighted other programmes which are helping people who are already in work to improve their prospects.

One is the Warehousing To Wheels project for the haulage and logistics industry, which is significant in Oldham. He said: "This scheme encourages warehouse workers to gain LGV driving licenses, which can then boost their salaries by £8,000. A higher salary can make the difference between owning your own home or not, and can also free-up entry-level warehousing jobs for others."

The scheme is run with Mantra Learning in Chadderton and has been praised by industry leaders. A number of warehouse workers have improved their skills to become LGV drivers, gaining them higher-paid jobs.

Furthermore the council is investing £250,000 into a new Careers Advancement Service, in an extension of Get Oldham Working programme.

The service is unique in Greater Manchester and aims to work with 400 employed residents in the first year. It will also help local firms grow and support their staff, thanks to a partnership with the Manchester Growth Company.

Each resident who signs up will receive a service tailored to their needs. Get Oldham Working staff will provide one-to-one help with a personal development plan and assessments, so people can better-understand their own strengths and areas for improvement. Other support includes workshops, networking events, assistance to apply for Advanced Learner loans and help with self-promotion using social media.

The scheme will to help move residents into better-paid jobs and reduce the impact of welfare reforms, which will see some working families lose up to £2,000 per year from in-work benefits.

Speaking about the Career Advancement Service, Councillor Shoab Akhtar, Cabinet Member for Employment and Skills, added: "Lots of hard-working and talented people have been helped by the Get Oldham Working team over the years. They want to do better for themselves and their families, but feel they can't take the next step because they don't have the right skills or are unsure what their key strengths are.

"Our new Careers Advancement Service will hopefully help change that. We are investing in skills, helping residents to advance their careers and helping Oldham businesses and the local economy to grow."

People who have previously been helped by the GOW you can visit the staff at Metropolitan House, Hobson Street, which is opposite the Job Centre Plus, on weekdays from 9am until 4pm.

Alternatively visit the website oldham.gov.uk/gow or send an email to employability@oldham.gov.uk or call 0161 770 4674.


* The next edition of Oldham Business Edge magazine in January will have a full interview with Tom Stannard, including updates on future town centre regeneration projects, new housing and business parks.

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