Great News!
Wargrave Big Local working in partnership with Helena Homes andJD Wetherspoon has helped 16 local people into employment at their brand new pub in Earlestown.
We held an event on Wednesday 4th May at Newton Community Centre. At the event, job seekers were invited to a talk given by the recruitment manager of the new Nine Arches Wetherspoons development in Earlestown. The talk covered things like the history of Wetherspoons, the range of beers they sell and what it’s like to be a Wetherspoons employee. Those who wished to apply were invited to stay for a quick informal interview.
Of those who decided the roles were right for them, 24 people were selected and invited tocomplete a week’s worth of free training at the Newton Community Centre, followed by a formal interview, all paid for and organised by Wargrave Big Local.
16 were successful at those interviews, 7 Wargrave residents, 7 residents from elsewhere in Newton le Willows and 2 from elsewhere in St Helens.
Along the way, Wargrave Big Local and Helena provided support for the applicants to ensure they had the best chance to attain and retain these jobs. Each successful applicant was awarded high street vouchers to buy new work wear, and some received support with travel and other expenses all covered by the Wargrave Big Local ICE fund.
Michelle says –
“Being part of this project improved my motivation. I had been applying for jobs but not hearing back, so with this project having guaranteed interviews and being on my doorstep, I felt far more enthusiastic to apply because I knew I had a better chance of getting the job.
If it weren’t for Helena and Wargrave Big Local, this wouldn’t have happened;before this I never knew that Helena and Wargrave Big Local did so much to support our community!”
Peter says –
“I had been dropping into the weekly job club at Newton Community Centre for support as I wanted to get back into work as soon as I could. The staff at the sessions are on hand each week to help out with any issue regarding employment. They told me about the JD Wetherspoon’s employment event they had arranged. I attended the event, had a successful interview, completed the training; which improved my confidence, and now I have the job!
The event ran smoothly and the talk from the recruitment manager was informative. At my formal interview after I had completed the training, I was asked for my birth certificate by the end of the week which I hadn’t expected; and didn’t have.I wouldn’t have been able to pay for the fast track delivery of a new one, so straight away I called Helena and explained the situation. Wargrave Big Localcovered the cost of my fast track birth certificate which arrived the following day and I am so grateful for their support!”
“Cheers!”