Work Zones are here to help

Work Zones are helping people who are coming out of work as a result of Covid-19.

They may want a temporary job in one of the expanding sectors and the teams can help with job matching with local employers. For help transferring into a new role, there is an online job matching form to complete and the team will be in touch to discuss their requirements.

Further help is available from the Let’s Talk Business website: www.letstalkbizcw.co.uk . Employers looking to recruit, are also being encouraged to get in touch as the Work Zones can source potential employees to meet current recruitment demand. Employers can email their requirements to: skillsandemployment@cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk

Ellie from Northwich worked in a high street business before its closure last month due to Covid-19. After contacting the Work Zone, Ellie had a few options and interviews lined up and has this week started training with Premier Care as a Care Assistant. It’s a double celebration for Ellie who had her 18th birthday on Wednesday.

Ellie will be providing residential care to individuals across Crewe, Nantwich, Sandbach, Middlewich & Knutsford.

Said Ellie: “I was very upset as I had lost my job with my current employer due to Covid-19, and I have outgoings to pay for just like everyone else and was unsure how I was going to be able to pay these. 

“The support I received from both members of the Work Zone team was absolutely exceptional from start to finish.  I was made to feel very reassured and completely at ease throughout the whole process and reassured that I would be able to get another job.  Both staff members were very informative on new roles appearing that I could apply for and now I am going into a new Care Assistant role thanks to their help.

“I couldn’t be more grateful and would highly recommend them to anyone in the same position I was in. I definitely give the service 10/10.  They were supportive with lots of different ideas as to roles I could apply for.  Very responsive to any questions I had and always gave in-depth, and helpful answers, which I very much appreciated.”

The Work Zone team are continually sourcing vacancies and matching them to customer requirements.  Vacancies have been wide and varied including cleaning jobs at Airbus, delivery drivers required by Argos, Store Assistants needed in most major supermarkets, Warehousing roles, Care vacancies across the borough as well as a wide range of one off vacancies.  There is support available to match job requirements and help with CV and applications as well as offering tips to help prepare for an interview.

Councillor Richard Beacham, Cabinet Member for Housing, Regeneration and Growth said: “There is no doubt our whole country is experiencing drastic changes to everyday life. As a Council we are here to do everything we can to help. Whilst millions of people across the country have been furloughed by their employer, there are unfortunately many people who are losing their jobs. 

“Our Work Zones and business development teams are working with employers and are here to help all residents that are trying to get back into work. New jobs have been started within days of contacting the Work Zone and I would encourage anyone who is struggling to find work at this time to get in touch.”  

Other recent successes have seen a worker transfer temporarily from a restaurant kitchen to a supermarket and a self-employed window cleaner making a temporary swap to work as a fork lift truck driver. Following the temporary closure of a pub in Ellesmere Port, one of the employees now has a job in a local supermarket. A Northwich delivery driver also found his work stopped after a business closure, the Work Zone quickly helped with a CV and job contacts resulting in a new job working in a retail warehouse.

A former employee at a travel agent is now working for the NHS as a call handler, responding to NHS 111 calls in relation to Covid-19. In feedback to the Work Zone they said: “Thank you for the advice and guidance given in a short time. I look forward to, once the restrictions are lifted, that the Work Zone can help me with a career path.” 

For all existing customers of the Work Zones and for any other unemployed resident wanting to access online employment support to get CVs into shape and prepare for interviews, contact the Work Zones for support.

The Work Zone staff are available and are conducting one to one mentoring appointments and registrations over the phone and online. 

Log your requirements through the Job Matching Register: job matching form

Or you can talk to our team at your local Work Zone:

• Ellesmere Port Work Zone – 07990 532869
• Northwich Work Zone – 07833 236675
• Winsford Work Zone – 07766 205389
• Chester Work Zone – 07775 717122