BIG BOOST FOR JOBSEEKERS - New Boost Centre opens in Houldsworth Village

Stockport people have a new opportunity to improve their skills and job prospects thanks to a partnership between Stockport Council and Stockport College.

As part of the Stockport Boost campaign, three new ‘Boost Centres’ are to be created to offer local people the chance to learn new skills, improve the skills they already have and help them find their way back into employment.

The first of the new centres will open at Friedland Mill in Reddish in early December with another branch set to open later in the month in Edgeley. A Stockport town centre branch will open its doors early in the new year. The Reddish branch will provide mainly construction based courses whilst Edgeley will be a more classroom based centre. The town centre branch will be the main drop in centre and will also offer a ‘Next Step’ facility that will give residents general advice and guidance on skills and training now and into 2010.

Council Leader, Councillor Dave Goddard, said: “These new Boost Centres are a fantastic addition to the measures we have already put in place to help Stockport residents get back into employment. Not only will they actively promote and develop adult skills including apprenticeships and local labour schemes, they will also help protect existing jobs and businesses and attract new businesses to the borough.

“The economic downturn has affected employment levels in the borough but it has also had wider, social implications and the Stockport Boost campaign aims to tackle these too. The Boost Centres will help support those in crisis and address the impacts that the recession has had on the wider community such as health and wellbeing.”

Lynn Merilion, Principal of Stockport College, said: “By working in partnership with Stockport Council we are delighted to be able to offer much needed advice, guidance and training to support people throughout the borough in their desire to retrain or return to work. The three Centres are a product of the Stockport Boost campaign and we are extremely proud to be part of this important economic initiative for Stockport.”

To find out more about the Boost Centres contact  the College in the Community office at Stockport College on  958 3266 or email Heidi Walker. Alternatively, visit www.stockport.ac.uk.

For more information on the Stockport Boost campaign visit: www.stockport.gov.uk/stockportboost (free internet access is available at all Stockport libraries).

ENDS