Minister visits Oldham

Training opportunities in Oldham came under the spotlight when Employment Minister Chris Grayling visited the town.

He was looking at how around 167,000 unemployed people are to be supported through the Government’s new Work Programme over the next five years across Greater Manchester.

Mr Grayling toured training providers in Oldham, Manchester and Stockport, and visited Stuart Knowles, the Welfare Account Director at Avanta Enterprise Ltd (TNG)s, in Chamber House, Chapel Road, Oldham.

The Work Programme is aimed at helping people people in Greater Manchester to move from benefits and into sustainable employment.

Mr Knowles said: “Avanta will be working with more than 60,000 clients over the next seven years,

developing tailored support to ensure that they are in the best possible position to apply for sustainable jobs, or set up their own business.

"Our tailored support includes assistance with job searches, work placements, one-to-one mentoring and in-work support, and the partnerships we have established with local employers, charities and community organisations help us to tune into local needs and offer a personalised service for every one of our clients."