Employment hub opens in Blackburn

Newground Together has opened a new Employment Hub in Blackburn town centre, offering support for local residents seeking to improve their job prospects.

The facility, located within the Mall Shopping Centre, will be a drop-in facility for people to visit to access employment and wider support services, supporting people to become work-ready and access local job opportunities.

Open Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm, the Hub will provide help with job searching, CV writing, one-to-one support including interview preparation, housing advice, financial and debt advice and skills training to help people find work.

Councillor Suleman Khonat, Mayor of Blackburn with Darwen, cut the ribbon, saying: “This hub is a brilliant initiative and well located within the Mall.

"I was delighted to meet members of the local business community as well as residents of Blackburn and wider, many expressed an interest in using the services to support them back into sustained employment. Newground Together is always passionate about community and this excellent endeavour will definitely raise the aspirations of Blackburn with Darwen residents.”

Nic McGrath, director of Newground Together which is part of the Together Housing Group, said: "This is our first Employment Hub and it’s located in the heart of Blackburn town centre to ensure we can support as many people as possible.

"Our connections in the borough, with employers and community partners will enable us to offer a wide range of support and match job seekers with local vacancies to help more people into sustained employment. Since opening in May over 120 people have received support the Employment Hub with over 70 now actively seeking work."

Kate Hollern MP said: "Our local businesses need and want to recruit locally so this Hub is well located to serve the needs of both residents of Blackburn with Darwen and businesses.

The additional support the Hub will provide from CV help to budgeting advice is much-needed tool to help people in the current climate. I look forward to seeing the outcomes of the Hub.”