Jobs lifeline

Reporter: by RICHARD HOOTON
Date online: 18 May 2009

200 led back to work

A RECESSION-busting scheme has handed a lifeline to 200 unemployed Oldhamers by helping them find jobs.

The council’s “Get Oldham Back On Track” initiative has proved vital in helping the borough weather the financial storm by boosting the skills of more than 400 borough residents — and seeing half of those back to work.

One success story is Mariam Begum, of Hathershaw, who was out of work for three years before the scheme helped her gain skills in business administration.

Only two days after completing the course in February, the 26-year-old was back in work as an administrator for employment and training organisation Work Solutions in Ashton Road.

She said: “I was away from the labour market for three years and it’s not easy to get back into work. The course was a very big help, it helped me to rebuild my confidence, taught me how to deal with customers and made me understand that I do have valuable skills.”

The scheme helps the unemployed and those under notice of redundancy into training and matches individuals looking for work with employers who have appropriate vacancies.

The scheme is also designed to plug skills gaps in the local economy and is particularly aimed at helping groups with higher rates of unemployment living in the borough’s most deprived wards such as members of Oldham’s ethnic minority community, lone parents and the disabled.

Oldham Council leader, Howard Sykes, said: “The country is facing difficult economic conditions and Get Oldham Back on Track is one way we that are giving local people a helping hand to weather the recession.

“This initiative makes sure people receive the right training to take advantage of local vacancies, it helps to lift people out of poverty and is contributing towards one of our key priorities — improving equality in Oldham.”

Training programmes are developed with employers to make sure that they meet the needs of the local economy and help plug skills shortages. High priority areas include business administration, care, construction, hospitality and retail.

The scheme is funded by the Department of Work and Pensions and brings in skills from Oldham College’s successful Passport to Employment project to provide vocational training, advice and support.