Partnership offers hope for jobless

Wednesday 8th June 2011, 9:52AM BST.

A partnership with home and garden retailer The Range is providing new opportunities for a number of Shropshire’s long-term unemployed job seekers, officials said today.

In Shrewsbury almost half of the 86 employees at the town’s new store have been recruited through Government welfare to work contracts, delivered by employment and training specialists Pertemps People Development Group.

The company, which has offices in Abbey Foregate, has worked alongside the retail giant to fill a variety of roles from warehouse to supervision.

Store manager Jason Walker said providing jobs for local people was a positive benefit that brought added value to the local and regional economy and contributes to the growth of the business.

“A number of our new employees haven’t worked for quite a while and yet their enthusiasm, flexibility and commitment really is apparent,” he said.

View more: Employment news, Shrewsbury news.