MP OPENS CENTRE FOR JOB SEEKERS

21 September 2006Natascha Engel MP (right) meets learners at TBG Learning Chesterfield with TBG Learning tutor, Michael Bass (centre) and (standing) Keith Burn, District Manager, Jobcentre Plus

Natascha Engel, Member of Parliament for North East Derbyshire, praised independent training company TBG Learning when she officially opened its new training centre for the unemployed in Chesterfield this week (18th September).

“TBG Learning has the expertise to help the most hard to reach groups of long term unemployed. It’s lovely to have something in North Derbyshire as exciting as this”, she said, before cutting a celebration cake and touring the Centre to meet learners.

The centre in St Mary’s Court has excellent modern facilities and experienced tutors to help unemployed people on the Government’s New Deal programme. Classes in literacy and numeracy are supplemented with advice and practical support in identifying job vacancies and making applications. Many other courses in job specific areas and leading to recognised qualifications are available through TBG Learning’s partnerships with local trainers such as Pitman’s and Derbyshire Chamber.

TBG Learning won the county wide contract with Jobcentre Plus to provide market led training and support to job seekers on New Deal and has opened the Chesterfield Centre to help fulfil local needs in North Derbyshire. Its first centre in the county in Derby opened in 1991. A further new centre will open in Alfreton this autumn.

Cutting the cake with Natascha Engel MP are (left to right) Adrian Downing, Regional Manager, TBG Learning, Keith Burn, District Manager, Jobcentre Plus, Sue Gidman, Director, TBG Learning and Helen Doherty, Centre Manager, TBG Learning Chesterfield

One of the courses for New Deal job seekers is called ‘Gateway to Work’ and gives 18-24 year olds advice and practical help in finding vacancies, writing application letters, preparing a CV and how to handle an interview. Courses for those aged 25+ include administration, the care sector, warehousing, retail, construction and joinery.

TBG Learning, Chesterfield is at Block A, 1st Floor, St Mary’s Court, St Mary’s Gate, Chesterfield S41 7TD. Anyone interested can telephone 01246 207500 for further information, call in at the new Centre or ask their local Jobcentre Plus adviser.