Free skills training with guaranteed interview offered to Rossendale job seekers

By Active Lancashire

13 Jun 2022

cliff-adamson-gary-mcewan-interfloor-dylan-does-not-want-full-name.jpg

Rossendale Works, Lancashire Adult Learning and partners will be providing 20 people looking for work in the area with free skills training leading to a guaranteed job interview with Rossendale-based employers We Buy Books and Interfloor.

The organisations have teamed up to offer a work-based training programme on the week commencing 27 June, to help and encourage candidates into employment.

This follows the success of the first such programme run by Rossendale Works - a partnership between Active Lancashire, Rossendale Council and the Department for Work and Pensions - which was run at Haslingden-based Interfloor in January of this year.

The "Stand Out" week offers an opportunity for participants to stand out to employers by gaining additional experience and a qualification, before the prospect of potential job opportunities at the end.

Candidates are able to visit the business to experience first-hand the type of work that is undertaken and achieve Level 1 in Health and Safety, First Aid, and ICT skills. Learners will also receive coaching and take part in mock interviews ahead of actual interviews with the company on the final day.

The previous pre-employment course saw four individuals interviewed with all four being offered work. 

Gary McEwan, HR director at Interfloor who are one of the hosts for this programme, said, “The course earlier this year was a big success, with all the interviewed candidates being employed by Interfloor as a result.

“They included a real shining star, someone who has not been given chances in life and we are considering putting through a technical apprenticeship. We are looking forward to meeting the next round of candidates.”

Council leader Alyson Barnes said: “The first programme proved to be a real success and a testament to what can be achieved when private and public sectors work together – none of this would be possible without great partnership work, with proactive leadership. That’s why the Rossendale Works team and their partner organisations are confident that this second programme at We Buy Books will be equally successful.

“Having more of these types of initiatives can only be a good thing for all involved and help secure employment for the people of Rossendale.”

Brad Hacking, business development manager and head of projects from We Buy Books, said: “This is a really useful exercise for all involved, kind of like a try before you buy for both the candidates and businesses.

"Rossendale Works have been really helpful in pulling all the parties together and if at the end of the day we get some great candidates trained and ready to go we’ll be more than happy. I would encourage other businesses to explore programmes such as this.”

Places are limited for the programme, and anyone interested should enquire at activelancashire.org.uk/courses/standout

Photo of Cliff Adamson (Active Lancashire), Gary McEwan (Interfloor), Dylan (employed participant of the first programme), Paul Becouarn (Active Lancashire) and Alyson Barnes (Rossendale Council Leader). 

Latest news

1

Three weekly domestic waste collection considered in plans Waste recycling Blackpool

Three weekly domestic waste collection considered in plans

01 Jul 2025

2

Graham Engineering confirms sale to a2e Industries Graham Engineering

Graham Engineering confirms sale to a2e Industries

01 Jul 2025

3

Training 2000 celebrates 'Good' rating by Ofsted Training 2000

Training 2000 celebrates 'Good' rating by Ofsted

01 Jul 2025

4

Fox Group acquires J Fisher and Sons Colin Fisher, Paul Fox CEO and Gary Fisher.

Fox Group acquires J Fisher and Sons

01 Jul 2025

5

Beever and Struthers strengthen leadership team with new partners Dean Curtis and Joe Diston

Beever and Struthers strengthen leadership team with new partners

01 Jul 2025

Background image for hub sign up block

LBV Hub

Leverage Lancashire Business View platforms

Post your news
Post your events
Post your offers
Build your network
Improve your SEO
Gain coverage in the magazine
Sign-up
Events
LBV123 July/August Launch Event
Lancashire Business View magazine launch
Networking
16 Jul 2025

LBV123 July/August Launch Event

Burnley

08:30 - 10:30

Lancashire Built Environment Conference 2025
BEC 315 X 315 Px
Networking
25 Sep 2025

Lancashire Built Environment Conference 2025

Blackpool Football Club, Blackpool, FY1 6HX

08:30 - 13:00

CMI Level 5 Management and Leadership Course
UCLanAerialCampus.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
21 Feb 2025 - 21 Feb 2026

CMI Level 5 Management and Leadership Course

Preston Campus, Preston , PR1 2HE

09:00 - 17:00

CMI Level 5 Project Management Course
UCLanAerialCampus.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
21 Feb 2025 - 21 Feb 2026

CMI Level 5 Project Management Course

Preston Campus, Preston, PR1 2HE

08:00 - 17:00

The Marketing Metrics that Matter – July 4
LBV Hub Seminars
04 Jul 2025 - 04 Jul 2025

The Marketing Metrics that Matter – July 4

Door4 Office, Burnley Wharf, Burnley, BB11 1JG

08:30 - 11:00

Tri-Site Survey Equipment Showcase
unnamed (2).jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
09 Jul 2025 - 09 Jul 2025

Tri-Site Survey Equipment Showcase

Crow Wood Hotel, Burnley, BB12 0RT

09:30 - 16:00

Choose Chorley for Business - Talent Reimagined Business Breakfast
talentreimaginedbb.png.png
LBV Hub Seminars
10 Jul 2025 - 10 Jul 2025

Choose Chorley for Business - Talent Reimagined Business Breakfast

Strawberry Fields Digital Hub, Chorley, PR71PS

08:00 - 10:30

Blackburn Cathedral hosts Champagne and Diamonds Event with Ainsworth Jewellers
Champagne-Jewellery 10 07 25_page-0001.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Awards
10 Jul 2025 - 10 Jul 2025

Blackburn Cathedral hosts Champagne and Diamonds Event with Ainsworth Jewellers

Blackburn Cathedral, Blackburn, BB1 5AA

18:00 - 20:30

Shaping Preston's future by remembering its past
1750160034867.png.png
LBV Hub Networking
16 Jul 2025 - 16 Jul 2025

Shaping Preston's future by remembering its past

Society1, Coworking Space, Preston, PR1 3LT

18:00 - 20:30

Chamber Summer BBQ
LBV Hub Social
17 Jul 2025 - 17 Jul 2025

Chamber Summer BBQ

The Borough, Dalton Square, Lancaster, LA1 1PP

17:30 - 20:00

Preston Tech Connection: Web3 is Dead. Or is It?
July Longer Banner.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Networking
29 Jul 2025 - 29 Jul 2025

Preston Tech Connection: Web3 is Dead. Or is It?

Society1, Coworking Space, Preston, PR1 3LT

18:00 - 19:30

Preston Freelancer Meet-Up: July
Longer July Banner.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Networking
31 Jul 2025 - 31 Jul 2025

Preston Freelancer Meet-Up: July

Society1, Coworking Space, Preston, PR1 3LT

10:00 - 11:30

Advertise with us

Reaching 50,000 members, our print, digital and event platforms offer a fantastic way to raise your business profile and help you grow.

Find out more LBV122 Online Graphic
Subscribe now

Weekly news bulletin