More people in Bolton are being offered jobs as in manufacturing and as bus drivers thanks to programme aimed at getting people back to work.
The Sector Based Work Academy Programme, known as SWAP, is run by the Department for Work and Pensions and has been working with Bolton based manufacturer Park Cakes and with two separate bus companies.
Jobcentre partnership manager Jenny Stanton said that the programme overall has had a hugely positive effect in Bolton.
She said: “This is a supported routeway into work that gives customers the chance to attend an open day, take part in a bespoke training programme and work experience, then have a guaranteed job interview.
“This programme has to date resulted in an amazing 46 job offers!”
This year marked that sixth that the DWP had been running the programme with Park Cakes, which Ms Stanton said the department was “proud to support.”
But they have also been working with companies in other sectors, like public transport.
Ms Stanton said: “Also, as part of the DWP SWAP programme, Bolton continues to support the need for bus drivers in the area, by running the SWAP programme with two major bus Companies, resulting in more job offers for our Bolton residents.”
Ms Stanton explained that as well as programmes like SWAP, the job centre has also been running regular job fairs that are tailed to specific employment sectors and have proven with Bolton based companies and with people looking for work alike.
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She said: “Employers like this method of promoting their vacancies, as this results in swift job offers, second interviews and work trial opportunities.
“Run on a weekly basis this attracts and average of six to eight employers and 50 to 80 customers.”
She added: “DWP Work Coaches offer tailored support for our all our customers, our specialist team supporting our older customers, runs weekly job clubs for them to attend, along with hosting Jobs and training fairs, filled with age-friendly employers and opportunities to gain valuable experience and qualifications.
“Another way Bolton customers can also progress nearer to work is by taking advantage of the many voluntary work experience opportunities that the Employer Advisers have set up.
“These include working in the retail, customer service, leisure, warehousing and media.”
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