More than 500 job-related opportunities will be on show to Oldham residents as the annual Get Oldham Working (GOW) Festival of Work event returns.
With a wide-range of jobs, apprenticeships and work experience openings on offer from various employers across Oldham and beyond, this is a great chance for residents to present their CVs to someone who could turn out to be their next boss.
So whether you are job hunting for the first time, looking for a return to work, or you are searching for the next step in your career, this event is open to everyone and it’s free to attend – just turn up on the day, no booking is required.
The day runs from 10am until 2pm on Thursday, September 21 at the Queen Elizabeth Hall, Oldham, OL1 1QJ, with parking available just outside the venue and Metrolink’s Oldham King Street stop only a two to three minute walk away.
Staff from the GOW team will be available on the day to advise you about jobs, careers and access to training across a wide range of sectors within the borough. There will also be plenty of space for you to complete any job applications that you pick up on the day, with additional support on hand in case you get stuck with any questions.
Spindles Town Square Shopping Centre and Yodel will be among the employers offering opportunities in retail and HGV driving respectively.
There will also be positions available in the care, construction, metalwork and security industries; office, customer service and administration roles and other driving and warehouse opportunities, among others.
This event comes as Oldham Council has recently been nominated for the ‘Supporting People into Employment Award’ as part of Greater Manchester’s 2017 Skills for Business Awards. Award winners will be announced on Thursday, November 30 at The Point, Emirates Old Trafford.
Councillor Shoab Akhtar, Cabinet Member for Employment and Skills, said: “Year after year, these events have proved to be an extraordinary success.
“With residents having gone on to work for employers such as Greater Manchester Police and First Manchester through our Festival of Work, I strongly encourage you to attend if you are looking for a new career opportunity.”
Mike Flanagan, Spindles Town Square Shopping Centre Manager, said: “Spindles Town Square is the heart of the retail community across Oldham and it is the place to be for shoppers across the borough and beyond.
“With a warm and welcoming environment around our centre, Spindles Town Square wouldn’t be what it is today without a fantastic team behind it that makes every shopper’s trip, one to remember.
“So if you want to be a part of our team, we look forward to seeing you at the upcoming Festival of Work.”
Darren Walker, head of recruitment at Yodel, said: “Yodel is looking to recruit around 200 people in the Greater Manchester area over the next three months as we gear up for our busiest time of year ahead of Black Friday and Christmas. We look forward to participating at Get Oldham Working’s Festival of Work, and hope to see many local residents on the day to talk about working for Yodel.”
Make sure you follow the Get Oldham Working team via social media in the build-up to the Festival of Work event. Facebook: Get Oldham Working and Twitter: @EmployOldham
If you cannot attend on the day it’s now even easier to contact the GOW team, which has supported the creation of 6,000 employment opportunities in less than three years.
They are located on the first floor of Metropolitan Place, Hobson Street, Oldham, OL1 1TT – across the road from the Job Centre Plus.
The base is operating an ‘open door’ policy, which means residents of working age can go along – without an appointment – and speak to a careers advisor, weekdays 9am until 4pm.
Over the next five years GOW is looking to engage with 6,000 residents and fill 5,000 work-related opportunities, so if you are looking for work it is a good time to get in touch.
Contact the GOW team via their website www.oldham.gov.uk/gow, by email employability@oldham.gov.uk or by telephone 0161 770 4674.
