Council bids to help jobless Woolworths staff

Hundreds of staff made redundant by Woolworths over the festive period have been receiving employment support from Rochdale Council.

Employment advisors and staff from Jobcentre Plus went into Woolworths’ Castleton depot/customer service centre on 29 December 2008 to talk to around 200 staff who are being made redundant. The workers were given advice about things like writing CVs, how to look for jobs and interview skills. Jobcentre Plus staff also talked through the process of claiming jobseekers’ allowance.

A team from the council’s Employment Links Partnership on Drake Street in Rochdale went into the Woolworths retail store in Rochdale town centre on the 19 and 31 December to offer support to all staff during the store closure process.

Councillor Mohammad Sharif, cabinet member for regeneration on Rochdale Council, said: “It’s a very miserable start to the new year for local people made redundant by Woolworths, but the future doesn’t have to remain gloomy. Contrary to popular belief, there are jobs available and there is a lot of support on offer to help you find work – or even gain new skills. Woolworths has been an important local employer over the years and we want to ensure that these staff and their skills are retained in the borough.”

The Employment Links Partnership say they have seen a steady stream of job seekers come in over the Christmas break for help and advice on finding work. However, many workers made redundant by Woolworths haven’t yet benefited from the support and those people are being encouraged to drop in to Employment Links at 99-101 Drake Street, Rochdale or to telephone 01706 646471.

It is anticipated that more staff at Woolworths in Castleton will be made redundant this week as the final stores of the high street chain close their doors for the last time and representatives from the council and Jobcentre Plus will again be on hand to provide support and guidance on finding alternative employment.

Where to call for help in the borough:

Rochdale and Pennines

Employment Links, 99-101 Drake Street, Rochdale.

Tel 01706 646471.

Heywood

AtWork, Unit 9 Times Retail Park, Dawson Street, Heywood.

Tel 01706 621122.

Middleton

Groundwork Middleton. 12 Wood Street, Middleton.

Tel 0161 654 7280