Jobless get back on track

JOBSEEKERS are being encouraged to use the growing Metrolink network to widen their career prospects.

The Career Guidance Service at Positive Steps Oldham runs a regular jobs fair at the centre on Union Street.

At the latest event, vacancies were grouped based on which Metrolink stop was closest to them. Centre manager Richard Rawlinson said: “We used a Metrolink map to show young people just how easy it is to travel on the tram and we searched out job vacancies that were within a five-minute walk of each stop.”

The Career Guidance Service is also using Metrolink to help teenagers who are severely lacking in confidence.

A small group will use the tram to travel to Manchester, accompanied by their adviser, where they will visit a number of organisations who offer apprenticeships and other training opportunities.

Steve Murphy, director at Positive Steps Oldham, said: “Our latest data shows that despite the economic climate we have reduced the NEET (Not in Education, Employment or Training) rate for 16-18 year olds by 29.6 per cent compared with the same period last year.”