Leading council figures have been backing and encouraging businesses to provide training, skills and employment support.

They visited a number of firms across Bury which support working people as well as provide training and courses to improve digital skills and help build people’s confidence finding work.

The council contingent of local authority leader, Cllr Eamonn O’Brien, cabinet member for culture and the economy, Cllr Charlotte Morris and Paul Lakin, executive director of place (business growth and infrastructure) went out to visit the companies.

They started the day at JEWEL, based in Prestwich, which offer digital skills - from the basics of computer use through to how to use Adobe Suite programmes such as Photoshop and Illustrator - as well as working alongside other community groups to provide a functional space that benefits residents.

Speaking with Issac Ginsbury, chief executive of JEWEL, the councillors discussed further how to support their online course provision so they would be able to provide a wider range of courses online without extra cost to their customers.

JEWEL also spoke about the future of theirbuilding in order to better provide to all their customers, including business support to boost opportunities.

The team then visited the family-run Orme Gallery in Pilsworth.

They met artist E. Anthony Orme and his son to talk about their framing business, which has handled priceless artwork including original Banksys, as well as having supported artwork currently in the town hall. Cllr O'Brien discussed how to best support further apprenticeships and how collaborating with educators can help show young people that framing is a valued profession.

The way that the gallery space could be used for cultural events such as art classes, to help bring the community together "over local art created by local people", was discussed.

The third visit of the day was to the Ingeus Work and Health Programme.

The organisation there supports those out of work to overcome obstacles to get them back into work, and they spoke about how mental health was the largest blocker for people trying to return to work.

Cllr O'Brien discussed how the council could further support their work through advertising their service where possible to make sure anyone struggling is aware it can help them back into work.

The final visit of the day was also with Ingeus at their Restart programme which focuses more on getting people back into work who don’t have the same obstacles as those referred to the Work and Health programme.

Cllr O'Brien talked with the team what can support their programme to get people back into work as soon as possible with local opportunities.

The possibility of a future "working wardrobe", a service which provides interview/business donated clothes, and supporting with mock interviews and confidence building, was considered.

Cllr O’Brien said: “It is always a great way to spend the day talking with local businesses across Bury who provide excellent support for our residents as well as helping to provide opportunities for work within the local area.

"With our plans for regeneration across the borough, we want to do all we can to make sure that jobs generated benefit our residents and businesses.”

Cllr Morris added: “We are always delighted to spend time with local businesses across Bury and hearing the great work that these organisations do, helping our residents get back into work and even providing support after they get a job.

"We always want to understand what we can do to help support the great work happening across our borough.”

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