P45 for J21 jobs scheme

Funding cut forces closure
A VITAL employment scheme which has helped more than 1,000 local people into work will close this month following a major cut in funding

Oldham Council dealt the first blow last year by withdrawing cash support for J21, which specialises in the construction industry.

But the final nail in the coffin came when Rochdale Council, which has solely been supporting the scheme for the past year, also decided to pull the plug.

The initiative was originally set up by Oldham and Rochdale councils, alongside Hopwood Hall and Oldham Colleges, to tackle skills shortages across the two boroughs.

With more than 8,000 jobless in the borough, the highest figure for more than 15 years, leaders of the scheme have been left baffled at the timing of the decision.

Brothers Bob and Gavin Barber, who have acted as consultants managing J21 since its creation in 2005, claim now is when the service is most needed.

Bob (50) said: “General construction is in a bad way but Oldham has bucked the trend. There is more going on here now than there has ever been.

“Losing the funding has been a big blow, and it is disappointing. This is just the wrong move at the wrong time. So many people from the local community have found jobs through J21.”

With decades of experience in the industry between them, Bob and Gavin have witnessed unparalleled demand for the service which aims to pair-up workers with immediate vacancies and provide training and accreditation in advance.

It has helped more than 1,000 into work and provided some 2,000 training courses across a range of skills. But from the end of the month, the initiative — in its current form — will be no more.

Gavin (40), who acts as job broker by fostering relationships with local companies, said: “The vacancies are coming in thick and fast, we’ve filled 30 since Christmas.

“Now, other employment agencies will have to pick these people up but they don’t have the contacts and experience that we have in the field.

“We have put a lot of effort into this, it is so close to our hearts and we have spent years plugging away to establish those relationships — people trust us. When people in the industry want someone skilled they want them fast. We can have them in touch within four hours — and that’s essential in construction.”