Calling all employers…
Damien Halligan, Wigan Council’s newest recession buster, is calling businesses to support the borough’s economy by using local labour wherever possible.
Wigan Council has been leading the way in supporting residents and businesses during the credit crunch and working with advice centres to keep employment high.
Officers are committed to supporting business and boosting employment. Damien joined the authority earlier this year with a wide business experience and will be working with employers across the area to recruit local people, develop apprenticeship opportunities and links with Job Centre Plus, colleges and others. His post is funded by the Communities and Local Governments’ Working Neighbourhoods Fund, administered through Wigan Borough Partnership.
“It’s great to be working for Wigan,” says Damien. “The borough is working through the effects of the recession through partnerships and forward thinking. Although for many, the misery of job losses and financial woes are still there. I’ll be working hard to ensure a boost for residents seeking employment by working with and encouraging would-be employers to use the local workforce wherever possible.”
Damien will be encouraging businesses to sign up to the Wigan Employer Agreement Scheme. This will ensure that local people benefit from employment and training opportunities arising from business development, economic regeneration or publically supported initiatives taking place in the borough.
Deputy council leader and regeneration champion Cllr David Molyneux welcomed Damien to the team. He said: “Wigan Council is committed to supporting local people into local jobs. By working with businesses we can create a mutually beneficial partnership, which will boost the borough’s economy.”
Although the final decision on who to appoint will always remain with the employers, it is the aim of the council to ensure local people are fully informed, prepared and developed to provide the best match to any new employment opportunities.
- For more details, contact Damien Halligan on 01942 828961 or d.halligan@wigan.gov.uk
