Doing a Good job getting the unemployed back into work

A SOCIAL enterprise company is helping transform the lives of the long-term unemployed by securing them jobs within the town.

Good People, based in Lower Bridgeman Street, Bolton, was launched three years ago. Its main aims are to develop and provide training, independent advisory, consultative, educational and other support services and advice to employers, individuals and the disadvantaged or disabled in the workplace.

Clients include local authorities and local businesses. Good People is currently work with Bolton and Salford Councils and its workload is growing, with increasing focus on those victims of redundancy in the borough. Good People’s delivery model has provided valuable job entries for Bolton Council. It became the only Greater Manchester local authority to reach its Public Service Agreement target with the Government Office North West by linking he jobless on incapacity benefit to sustainable employment.

Michael Sweeney is a director of the regeneration-focused recruitment company. He works closely with the public, private, voluntary and community sectors to connect disadvantaged people with jobs.

He said: “Our current work includes CV building for workless candidates and training in customer service and IT skills. We have a regular presence at UCAN centres throughout Bolton and work with the local authority neighbourhood renewal teams. Where appropriate, we are working closely with a number of employers in the borough to support staff who are victims of restructuring and redundancy through a variety of outplacement support services.

“Annually, our work is a major contributory factor in helping more than 100 long-term unemployed individuals, many from the most deprived wards in Bolton, into sustained employment. We fully expect to improve on these figures.”