Training course set up to help unemployed get jobs at new bakery

New East Manchester and Jobcentre Plus will be running four free three-week training courses this year with the first starting in July.

Covering areas such as food hygiene, health and safety and food preparation, these courses will help local unemployed people gain skills necessary to secure jobs at a new bakery that is currently being built in Newton Heath in east Manchester. 

Up to 15 places are available on each course, and all those that complete the training will be guaranteed an interview with Fine Lady Bakeries, the family owned company based in Banbury in Oxfordshire, which has begun recruiting its workforce for its £20 million northern base which is due to open in October this year. 

Jobs will be on offer include LGV drivers, production and dispatch operatives, administration and security. In total it is anticipated Fine Lady Bakeries will eventually employ up to 250 people on their east Manchester site when running at full capacity.

All staff will work a 12 hour shift with 4 days on and 4 days off. This includes both day and night shifts, enabling the bakery to operate 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Eddie Smith, Chief Executive of New East Manchester said: " We have developed an excellent partnership with the local Jobcentre Plus and other partners. Together we are committed to offering relevant training for those that are currently unemployed so they have the chance to get back on the career ladder. Safeguarding jobs and creating new employment opportunities for local people is a key priority for New East Manchester. Reducing unemployment significantly improves our ability to regenerate the area."

Joe Street, Managing Director of Fine Lady Bakeries said: "We are very pleased to be building a new bakery in east Manchester. We see this as a long term investment in the area, creating jobs and boosting the local community.  We are keen to get the skilled and committed workforce we need from the surrounding area so that local people benefit directly from us being here."

Hazel Holmes, Account manager from Jobcentre Plus said; "This is great news for the east Manchester area. We are working closely with Fine Lady Bakeries to help fill their vacancies; ensuring local people are given all the support they need to compete for the jobs on offer."

Fine Lady Bakeries currently produces bread and a range of other bakery products that are supplied to leading supermarket chains, independent retailers, sandwich makers and catering companies.

Anyone wishing to access training on the course in July should call Jobcentre Plus on 0161 254 8003. Places are limited. 

Those wishing to apply for one of the vacancies should call the dedicated recruitment line on 0161 254 8003. Further information can be found on http://www.l4ueast.com/jobs.php. 

For more details about New East Manchester visit http://www.neweastmanchester.com/ or for Fine Lady Bakeries click on http://www.heygates.co.uk/.