30 young people promised a job

UNEMPLOYED youngsters will be given jobs with one of the North-West’s biggest housing and regeneration companies under a Government initiative.

Contour Housing Group will offer work to 30 young people — including 15 in Oldham — under the Future Jobs Fund scheme.

Ross Hemmings, regeneration investment officer for Contour said: “This is a major commitment for the group.”

The Future Jobs Fund, managed by the Department for Works and Pensions, is designed to ensure that 18 to 24-year-olds gain work placement.

The National Housing Federation and Groundwork have been successful in bidding for funding for over 2,000 jobs nationally and Contour’s role in this has just been confirmed.

In Oldham, several small scale regeneration projects are planned and 15 trainees will be working with Contour’s contractor Jackson Lloyd to gain fencing and building skills.

The trainee vacancies will be advertised at Oldham’s Job Centre Plus with successful candidates starting work in January.

Mr Hemmings added: “All trainees will have a fully supported training structure and will be expected to adhere to Contour’s high professional standards.

“Our commitment to this project will ensure that we employ local people to respond to local community needs.”