EMPLOYMENT minister Andrew Smith has praised Bolton for its achievements since the New Deal initiative was introduced locally in March.

He told a business breakfast meeting at Mere Hall, Halliwell, that the scheme had so far helped 138 young people in the town leave benefits and find jobs.

"New Deal is working," he said.

The Breakfast -- attended by local employers -- was organised by the Employment Service and the Bolton New Deal Partnership.

Mr Smith, who was invited by Bolton West MP Ruth Kelly, urged employers to help by recruiting through New Deal and by getting involved in the Partnership.

He made a point of praising the contribution made by the team of personal advisers who discuss options with unemployed clients and make connections with suitable employers.

"It makes an enormous difference," he said.

Mr Smith also commended the Government's newer Welfare to work schemes -- New Deal for Over 25s and New Deal for Lone Parents.

He was introduced by Steve Johnson, Bolton Job Centre Manager and Chairman of the Partnership.

"We want to work with you to transform those people who want a job into those who have a job," he said. Chamber chief's rallying

call to local employers MR Mark Lloyd, Deputy Chief Executive of Bolton and Bury Chamber of Commerce, said that although New Deal had been successful in Bolton so far, more businesses needed to recognise its importance and make a contribution.

He introduced three local employers who have been delighted by their New Deal workers:

Janet Southwood, Matron Manager at the Four Seasons Nursing Home in Breightmet Fold Lane -- part of the Southern Cross Healthcare Group which runs 37 homes throughout England and Wales.

She has taken on 22-year-old Peter Linney of Laycock Avenue, Bolton as a care assistant.

He is now working towards an NVQ Level 2 in Direct Care and is delighted with the job he started in August after being unemployed for 18 months.

"When you are on the dole no-one wants to know," he said.

"But on this scheme you can build up a relationship with the counsellor and they can tell a future employer about you."

Two more New Deal workers -- local people aged 21 and 19 -- are due to be taken on shortly.

Cath Price, Business Manager at the Job Centre in Great Moor Street.

She told the meeting about the way it had filled a job vacancy of its own from the New Deal programme.

Asiya Ugaradar, aged 19, who lives in Daubhill, was born in Pakistan and later lived in Manchester until she married and came to live in Bolton a year ago.

She had never worked before, but now she is a New Deal success helping clients move towards NVQ Level 2 in customer care.

Donna Harrop, Manager of the Virgin Megastore, Bolton.

She said New Deal had been an opportunity to take a risk which had paid off.

They were pleased to have brought in people with different backgrounds and perspectives.

Their New Dealers are Rick Scowcroft, aged 22, a former Deane School pupil who had been unemployed for about two years and Keith Mayo, aged 20, a former Withins pupil who had been out of a job for 12 months.

Pic l: Pictured (l to r) at the New Deal Breakfast are: Cath Price, Asiya Ugaradar, Andrew Smith, Donna Harrop, Rick Scowcroft, Keith Mayo, Janet Southwood and Peter Linney. Top right: Mr Smith (second left) is pictured with (l to r) Brian Iddon, MP for Bolton South East, Ruth Kelly, Mr Johnson and David Crausby, MP for Bolton North East. (Ref: F3928/3 and F3928/2)

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