Tuck in to a gala event

Tickets to the Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce annual gala dinner, this year to be held at Clough Manor, Rochdale Road, Denshaw, on Friday, November 6, are now available for Oldham members.

After a four-course dinner guests will be entertained by comedian Lea Roberts, who won the television series “Stand Up Britain” in 2002 and is a popular figure on the after-dinner circuit.

Oldham-based Pauline Pawlykiwskyj, from the Chamber’s events team, said: “The gala dinner is the perfect opportunity for members to celebrate achievements with clients and colleagues.

“Make sure you do not miss the opportunity to join us at what promises to be a very special evening.”

Tickets are available at £40 plus vat to members and £60 plus vat to non-members. Tables of eight or 10 are also available.

Your places can be reserved online at www.business-support-solutions.co.uk/events or, for further information, e-mail pauline.pawlykiwskyj@business-support-solutions.co.uk  or contact her on 0161-875 2357.


Chance to get on career ladder

Greater Manchester Chamber has 25 vacancies for engineering and manufacturing apprenticeships in Oldham, Manchester, Salford, Tameside and Trafford and is urging young people who may have just left school or college to consider applying.

Deirdre McManus, sector director of engineering and manufacturing solutions, which provides services on behalf of the Chamber, said: “We currently have 25 vacancies that we can’t fill.

“These are high-quality jobs that will lead to a skilled career in the engineering and manufacturing sector. This is the perfect opportunity for someone who wants to earn real wages while also becoming qualified — qualifications without the debt.

“We are looking for bright and enthusiastic 16 or 18-year-old school or college leavers who have still not sorted out their career.

“All the vacancies are for permanent jobs with the opportunity to achieve an advanced apprenticeship in an engineering discipline at technical level qualification.”

The average wage at the start of an engineering apprenticeship is between £170 and £220 a week. Vacancies are also available in business administration, construction and customer services.

In June, the Chamber launched a campaign to encourage more young people to take up apprenticeships following business concerns that not enough young people were taking vocational qualifications.

Visit www.skills-solutions.org.uk  or call 0161-233 2656 for more information on the apprenticeship vacancies.


Tune in to radio

Revolution radio, Oldham’s independent music station, is hosting a Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce event for Oldham members on Wednesday, October 7.

During the evening members will have the chance to take a short tour and learn about how a commercial radio station operates.

One business will have the chance to win a month-long airtime campaign valued at £1,000.

Re-launched in September, 2008, by Steve Penk, the

Revolution listening figures are up by 119 per cent.

Chamber events manager Pauline Pawlykiwskyj said: “If you are looking to promote your business, make valuable contacts with like-minded business professionals this is the event to attend.”

The event takes place at the station’s headquarters in Henshaw Street, Oldham.

Book a place online at www.business-support-solutions.co.uk/events .


Web sales rise 16%

Spending with e–retailers fell this month but the online sector enjoyed a boost from a 16 per cent increase in sales compared to last year.

Retailers across the board saw only a 2.1 per cent increase in their sales volumes in August compared with last year's performanc.

But the IMRG Capgemini e–Retail Sales Index revealed that the picture is rosier for e–commerce, with shoppers spending £3.8 billion online in August , an increase of more than £500 million on last year.