Ways to Work employment and training centre to open in St Helens Town Centre this month

Ways to Work employment and training centre to open in St Helens Town Centre this month

A vacant retail unit in St Helens Town Centre has been transformed into a high-profile careers centre to support out of work residents through a range of employment, education, and training opportunities.

Located in the former Hays Travel unit in Church Square Shopping Centre, the Ways to Work centre will see experienced St Helens Borough Council staff who are part of the Liverpool City Regions flagship Ways to Work programme, collaborate with Career Connect and Jobcentre Plus to offer a one-stop shop service to support local people through mentoring, coaching, advice and guidance, and job searching. 

Since launching in 2016, the St Helens Ways to Work team, who prior to Covid-19 were based in St Helens Town Hall, has helped more than 1,200 people into employment, training, and education – 230 of those coming in the past year during the coronavirus pandemic.  

Made possible by Liverpool City Region Town Centre Funding to help local businesses and the economy recover from the coronavirus pandemic, the Ways to Work centre will provide drop-in employment advice, including CV writing tips and interview preparation, as well as access to a number of paid work experience roles and full or part-time vacancies – some being immediate start positions. 

This new highly accessible base in the heart of the town centre will make engagement with residents, partners and stakeholders much easier, helping to deliver a positive experience and high-quality outcomes. 

The council will also provide a similar facility in the autumn to enable additional drop-in and community outreach sessions in Earlestown.   

Councillor Kate Groucutt, St Helens Borough Council’s Cabinet Member for Education, Skills and Business, said:   

“We recognise the challenges some residents face when it comes to looking for work or training programmes – that’s why it’s important services are accessible to those in need of our support – and the Ways to Work centre will do just that.  

“With an experienced and highly skilled team in place who can cater to the needs of many in such a modern and friendly environment, I would encourage anyone looking for employment or training opportunities to call in and take the first step to an exciting and successful future.”  

The Ways to Work centre will officially open on Wednesday 30 June and will be available Monday to Friday from 9:00am to 5:00pm. 

For more information on the programme, visit www.sthelens.gov.uk/business/ways-to-work/, email waystowork@sthelens.gov.uk or call 01744 676131.  

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