Job prospects take turn for the better

Pictured (from the left) Naeem Jawaid, Anwar Ali and Maria Williams

A TALENTED trio who are working hard to get people back into employment have been nominated for a Pride in Oldham award.

Upturn Enterprise Limited was set up as a social enterprise in 2001 using regeneration funding with an aim to establishing an organisation that would benefit the borough in the long term.

Nine years on and the business is still going strong with all three team members helping local residents to write CVs, undertake job searches and boost their confidence at the same time.

Employers in Oldham have also reaped the benefits as Upturn has helped more than 300 people get a job over the past six years.

And the good work looks set to continue as the social enterprise ensures it ploughs its profits back into the business and the community.

Ian Simpson, area manager for Guinness Northern Counties, nominated the organisation.

He said: “Upturn Enterprise does a fantastic job getting young unemployed people into work.

“It has provided opportunities, training and employment for people with our organisation and I know they do a lot with other companies in Oldham as well.”

Stefan Habijanec, who also nominated them, knows first hand the good work they do.

He said: “Upturn went the extra mile for myself, helping me to secure full-time employment within a housing group.

“From there I completed my NVQ that Upturn offered me and I have now moved on to a more demanding roll.

“I know that my success has been down to and stems from the commitment of Upturn.”

Anwar Ali, chief executive, Maria Williams, training and development manager, and Naeem Jawaid, outreach worker, make up the three staff members.

Mr Ali said: “Both myself and Maria previously worked in the private sector so we have used that experience to help both employers and employees.

“We offer realistic views of what each party wants and that enables us to have an 85 per cent success rate in getting people into work.

“People are referred to us in various ways such as the job centre or word of mouth, and Naeem works with the black and minority ethnic community.

“The greatest satisfaction we get is seeing someone who has been passed from pillar to post coming to us and achieving what they want.”