Redundancy help at hand at Manchester Training

Manchester Training in Middleton is to get extra Government funding for training to help people who have lost their jobs or are facing redundancy back into work.

The Greengate training facility, which specialises in the logistics and automotive sector, will get a share of £100 million that the Government and European Social Fund are making available as part of a Response to Redundancy package to fund high-quality training places for up to 70,000 people in England.

The money will help people who are currently under notice of redundancy or have recently lost their jobs, offering them free, flexible training to boost their skills so they can move quickly back into work.

Minister for Further Education, Skills, Apprenticeships and Consumer Affairs Kevin Brennan said: "We will not stand by and leave people without support. That is why we’re investing £100 million to fund high-quality training for unemployed people across the country.

"Colleges and training providers are at the front line in helping people back into work, particularly during a recession, and are playing a key role in building a stronger Britain. This funding will open up access to training and new skills, opening doors to a new or better job.

"These days providers know what local businesses want and can teach the skills that people in their area need to take up jobs as soon as they become available."

Minister for Regional Economic Coordination Rosie Winterton said: "These colleges and training providers will be able to offer a shot in the arm for people in the North West who are facing uncertain times in their careers and working lives. We want to provide real help to people who have just lost their jobs or are at risk of doing so.

"Our primary aim is to keep the time people spend out of work to a minimum, while making the return to work a stepping stone to a more skilled future. I hope people across the North West who are facing redundancy, or who are out of work, will take full advantage of these training opportunities."

Manchester Training will use the funding to pay for short courses to update existing skills, or start to retrain in new occupational areas. Where possible, accredited units of training will be carried forward and put toward a future qualification.

Everyone who trains through this programme will also receive an individually-tailored package of careers advice, help with searching for a job and guidance on job applications.