Dream comes true for 100 long term unemployed (From Runcorn and Widnes World)

Tesco gives Halton's long term unemployed a fresh start

6:10pm Wednesday 8th February 2012 in News Exclusive By Barbara Jordan

A DREAM has come true for 100 local people who feared they may never find a job.

They have been out of work for six months or more and have been guaranteed a position at the new £40 million Tesco Extra Store in Widnes, provided they successfully complete a training programme.

It is all thanks Halton Employment Partnership which worked alongside a Tesco regeneration drive to give long term unemployed local residents a fresh start.

One man was so keen to be taken on, he walked from Widnes to Runcorn and arrived at a skills session half an hour early.

Siobhan Saunders, Halton Council’s divisioinal manager of employment, learning and skills, said: “This is proof that people are desperate to work.

“The consistency of people who have turned up and shown commitment has been just fantastic.

“From day one, they wanted to show a good impression and came in smart suits.”

A hotline launched in November gave the first eligible 1,000 applicants an invitation to an information day.

From that, 600 signed up for a skills workshop.

Following interviews, 100 were chosen for a six-week pre-employment course.

If they master new skills, they are guaranteed a job.

Key agencies including Halton People Into Jobs, Riverside College and Job Centre Plus form the partnership with the council.

Council leader, Clr Rob Polhill said: “This is great news.

“It can be so disheartening and demoralising applying for jobs when you often don’t get a reply.

“You can lost hope.

“Tesco was impressed by the way we helped them to recruit long term unemployed for their chilled distribution depot in West Bank. This has proved once again that local residents do want to work.”

A further 300 people have been hired out of 4,000 applicants as Tesco prepares to open its 24-hour store and petrol station on March 26.

John Parle, managing director of Widnes based developer Morbaine, who are delivering the store, said: “Tesco has been absolutely thrilled with the recruitment process and the calibre of people they have appointed.

“Once the store opens, they will increase their workforce to 500.”

The iconic store in Lugsdale Road is now being fitted out with chillers, plant and equipment.

Managers have been appointed and staff training starts next week in a former housing office in Widnes Road.