Published August 23, 2021 at 16:38
An employability Fair organised by Rossendale Works, which is run by Rossendale Council has been hailed a huge success.
Scores of jobs were on offer at local businesses who held stalls at the packed employability fair held at Rossendale Council chambers at Futures Park in Bacup.
A job seeker attending the event was delighted to walk away with an interview.
Julie Marshall, from Bacup, has previously worked in retail, call centres and catering and secured an interview with Always Bespoke Care, which works in Rossendale.
She left the fair saying: “I feel great because I have not had an interview for many years.”
Companies large and small from across Rossendale including B and E Boys, We Buy Books, Marstons, Rossendale Leisure Trust as well as recruitment agency Finlay Jude and many more, got the chance to meet potential employees.
A services section included police, fire and army and Lancashire Adult Learning and Burnley Football Club in the Community were also represented.
Rossendale Council leader Councillor Alyson Barnes said: “We are really keen to be working with local businesses because 60 per cent of our workforce go outside the area to get work, yet we have excellent companies locally that have got jobs to offer.
“This is the third time we have held an event of this kind and I want to thank everyone for attending.”
The fair was organised by employability project Rossendale Works in partnership with Active Lancashire. Since its launch in 2018, it has engaged with 500 people and helped 108 into employment.
Active Lancashire Chief Executive Adrian Leather said: “We have a great partnership with Rossendale Council and they are great to work with. Rossendale Works has been instrumental for us as a charity to show how we can collaboratively work with partners.”
Former teacher Gaynor Gallagher, from Newchurch, runs UK Yoga and initially began working in schools, however the business has been so successful she is now looking to break into the corporate market.
She said: “We offer workshops working on breathing techniques, mindfulness, wellness, posture, desk and chair yoga.”
Business Improvement Director at one of Rossendale’s largest employers Interfoor in Haslingden, Gary McEwan said: “We have got jobs for production and warehousing operatives, both unskilled and semi-skilled.
“We are also looking to set up an apprenticeship scheme for school leavers, where they will be on a two-year programme with a guaranteed job at the end if they get their NVQ.”
Digital marketing agency GrowTraffic, from Bacup, was on the lookout for candidates for an admin role in September and a further content marketing manager at the end of the year.
Director Simon Dalley said: “The event is good. Considering we are still in a Covid situation, I didn’t expect it to be as well attended as it has been. It is good to see so many different businesses from the area supporting it.”
Rossendale Council’s Business Adviser Brad Hacking added: “All of the businesses represented have got jobs that they are looking to fill, and this has given them the opportunity to engage with people who are looking for work.
“If the council can be a catalyst to bring these two sides together then I hope we will be able to hold more events like this in the near future.”
photo captions: pic 1: Alyson Barnes and Adrian Leather speak with We Buy Books. ( photo credit Ian Stackhouse) pic 2: Visitors to the fair ( photo credit:Liz Henson Photography0