Strode College gets job-seekers into work

Fifty job seekers graduated from Strode College's retail skills training and earned themselves a job interview with Morrisons.

The new Morrisons store will open in Wells in December with a staff of 259.

While some staff will transfer from other stores, this store will create many new jobs for local people. All those who completed the retail training at Strode are guaranteed an interview with Morrisons.

Strode College, in Street, teamed up with Wells Jobcentre and Morrisons earlier in the year to plan and develop the joint scheme designed to get job seekers into work.

As well as successfully training fifty job seekers, the college has hosted pre-employment days, open days, activity days and job interviews.

Strode's involvement in this project is part of their on-going support for unemployed people. The college works with the Jobcentre visiting each week giving individual interviews and guidance to people who are unemployed.

Graham Knight, head of business development at Strode College and vice chair of the Somerset Chamber board, said: "This has been a great partnership, with Mendip District Council involved from the beginning,

"It is helping to bring together Strode, Morrisons and local Jobcentre teams to help applicants and bring employment where it is needed most.

"Strode specialises in retail and customer service skills and, over the last three years, we have become renowned for our work with people who are unemployed.

"This scheme brings those skills together in a way that has made a huge difference for all applicants.

"We are delighted that Tessa Munt MP and local councillors joined our graduation ceremony to celebrate the students' successes."

Tessa said: "I welcome this innovative project to help local unemployed people back into work and I congratulate the graduates.

"Forming partnerships and taking action with training and encouragement all help to break the cycle of unemployment. Strode College, Jobcentre Wells and Morrisons should be commended".

Morrisons new developments resourcing manager, Gail Roberts-Brown, said: "We are delighted to be working in partnership with Wells Jobcentre and Strode College to help get local jobseekers into work.

"The partnership has delivered a great support network to help coach, train and prepare local unemployed people for jobs at our new store and we are proud to be able to work in the heart of the community we will serve."