Greenage, Rochdale Training Association and the Council helping unemployed back to work

Councillor Richard Farnell, leader of Rochdale Borough Council with Paul Quinn, managing director of Greenage Utilities, and trainee Dean Jones

A group of formerly unemployed people from Rochdale are enrolled on a new jobs scheme, which will see them fit smart meters in people’s properties.

Twenty eight people are already enrolled in the project, with a total of 200 jobs in the pipeline over the next 12-18 months with local company Greenage Utilities.

The job hunters will train in a special workshop at Rochdale Training Association (RTA), which has just been refurbished and kitted out with smart meters thanks to Greenage, RTA and the Council.

They will then shadow workers in the field, before going on to full time positions at Greenage, which works with major utility providers like NPower, EDF and United Utilities.

Dean Jones, 26, from Castleton, who is on the scheme, said: “This is a great opportunity for me, as I’ve been without a job for two years now. I’ve also got an 18-month old son, so it’s important to bring money in, and to be a good role model for him.”

Greenage moved from Oldham to Crown Business Park in Rochdale - Kirkholt-born managing director, Paul Quinn's home town - 18 months ago.

He said: “My family live in Rochdale and I grew up in Rochdale, so having our business here felt right.

"We’ve got one million smart meters to fit over the next 18 months and a great skills base here in Rochdale, so this jobs scheme is a fantastic project.

“Although we operate across the north of England, the people taken on through this scheme will be fitting smart meters in their home postcode area and there will be more work for them once we have finished the roll out because the meters need maintenance and repair.”

Councillor Richard Farnell, leader of Rochdale Borough Council, said: “It’s fantastic to see someone who grew up in our borough and built a great business coming back to his home town, investing his money here and employing local residents. This is a great example of the council working with local organisations like Greenage and RTA to deliver real results for our residents.”

Jill Nagy, Chief Executive of Rochdale Training Association, said: “Rochdale Training is proud to be working with Greenage Utilities and Rochdale Council, upskilling local people to access current jobs and a sustainable career.”