Builders boost jobs market

Bob Barber, project manager for J21 (left), enjoys a cuppa with Nick Young of Bullock at the Royton sheltered housing scheme

MORE jobs and contracts are coming Oldham’s way because of the local construction initiative, J21, according to Housing Market Renewal managers.

Already, more than 800 local people have been helped into jobs or training through J21.

And small and medium-sized businesses are also being helped, they add.

Oldham Council’s sheltered housing PFI scheme, being carried out in conjunction with Housing 21 and contractors Bullock, has put more than £2.25 million into the local economy in the last three months alone.

Last year 42 local companies won £8.5 million of business through this project.

J21 works to ensure that local contractors and employees benefit from investment in construction projects across Oldham and Rochdale.

Chadderton-based company Westshield is just one of the contractors which has benefited.

Gerard Waldron, from Westshield, said: “J21’s support for local companies is a great idea. Where we have been on local sites we have been able to use local labour. The support from J21 has been constant and has really helped us.”

Nick Young, construction works manager for Bullock, added: “Working with local contractors is valuable and rewarding for us and the project as a whole and we are pleased that the benefits of this scheme are felt throughout the community.”

HMR director Alastair Graham said: “I am delighted that, supported by Housing Market Renewal, J21 is continuing to help so many local people to find jobs and training, particularly at this difficult economic time.”