11 jobseekers find work in Pendle following free training programme

A free training programme focussing on customer service has led to 11 people finding work in Pendle.

Local charity Positive Action In The Community (PAC) worked in collaboration with Morrisons in Nelson to deliver the free 4 week training programme, where participants received a Level 1 Customer Service Qualification alongside two weeks of work experience at the supermarket. They also attended received training to build their confidence.

With their new experience and training, participants were referred by PAC to other shops and businesses recruiting locally, leading to a high rate of employment. In this one instance, 11 jobs were created in Nelson at Home Bargains, Asda, Boundary Mill and Tim Hortons.

The support was delivered as part of the MPT Steps partnership, which provides free tailored support and mentoring to people struggling to enter work, to boost their confidence, skills, health and wellbeing. It is made possible with £4.75m funding from the European Social Fund.

MPT Steps is delivered by 20 partner organisations across the borough, including housing associations, councils, charities, employment hubs, Youth Zones and more, with the partnership managed by charity Active Lancashire.

Now at its mid-point the project is on track to support 4,000 people before it ends in December 2023, having already supported over 2,000 job-seekers.

One of the new recruits at Home Bargains in Nelson, Mohammed Ibrahim, said, "The support through MPT Steps provided me with different skills and experiences, helping me find and secure a job. It teaches you how to work effectively and sell yourself to employers."

Nazreen Akther, manager at Nelson Home Bargains, said, "We got applicants quickly and it consumed less time in store than usual. Businesses have somewhere to go when they are struggling to get recruits. It helps the community, brings people forward who are struggling to find a job."

Solomon Peters, Employment Support Worker at PAC, said, “Partnering with local employers in order to tackle unemployment is absolutely vital. We were able to gain insight from employers with regards to what training is vital for their ideal recruits, and work in collaboration with other services such as DWP and Lancashire Adult Learning to recruit and provide this.

“As a result the employers have gained fully trained, strong candidates from the Pendle area, whilst also providing essential training and work experience to our participants.”

Businesses in Lancashire struggling with recruitment can find out more about how MPT Steps can help them by contacting Sarah Dunne via [email protected]