Opportunities for all as Council hosts employment event

BUSINESSES, organisations and training providers will be setting out their stall at an employability event being organised by Rossendale Works. 

It will be held on Friday August 20 in the Rossendale Council Chamber at Futures Park and will have 20 businesses represented with staff from the council’s employability projects Rossendale Works and Rossendale Youth Works also on hand. 

Paul Becouarn Rossendale Works Project Lead said: “We are really pleased to be back in a position where we can hold an event where local employers can promote their opportunities face to face.   

“I am sure that the event will provide many positive outcomes for individuals who are looking for work or a change of career.” 

The event will be open to the public from 1- 2.30pm and then from 2.30-4pm for Department of Work and Pensions clients. 

Rossendale Council’s Business Advisor Brad Hacking will also be running a drop-in session alongside the event. 

Already Burnley Football Club, Lancashire Adult Learning, the Police, Slingco, the Army and National Careers Service, have confirmed their attendance, along with many more others. 

The timing of the event coincides with A level results, which are released on August 10, and is immediately after GCSE results on August 12 and will be suitable for young people looking to start their careers as well as older residents. 

Leader of Rossendale Council and Portfolio Holder for Regeneration Councillor Alyson Barnes said: “We know that many of our residents and businesses have been impacted by the recent restrictions and we are pleased to support this event which aims to support people into employment.” 

In previous years, Rossendale Council has organised a large event in the sports hall at Rossendale Adrenalin Centre, but because of the pandemic, this year has had been scaled back. 

“Although restrictions have been lifted, we are wary about how other people are feeling and so this time we are holding a smaller scale event. If it is successful, we will be thinking about holding another larger event.” 

Since June a Youth Hub has been established in Rossendale Council’s offices at Futures Park manned by Jobcentre staff and supported by Rossendale Works and Rossendale Youth Works. 

The council is also a Kickstart gateway organisation for Rossendale businesses helping them to access funding to support full-time jobs for 16 to 24-year-olds and runs the local employability and skills forum. 

Since Rossendale Youth Works was founded in November last year, it has worked with 67 young people and 22 have now gained full-time employment, also 27 have found work experience on work placements with local businesses and organisations. 

Rossendale Youth Works is a Rossendale Council scheme, in partnership with Active Lancashire, is backed by funding from the Department of Work and Pensions and is led by Cliff Adamson. 

For more information on the employability event email economicdevelopment@rossendalebc.gov.uk 

Caption: One of the stalls at Rossendale Council’s last employability fair at the Adrenaline Centre in Haslingden in 2019. Photo Liz Henson Photography