JOBSEEKER Stephen Beaumont, 24, has become one of the first people in Partington to benefit from Trafford Council’s Partington Pledge initiative.

The Partington Pledge is a partnership initiative set up by Trafford Council to help match 85 unemployed young people in Partington with the job vacancies, work experience and training opportunities available with local businesses in the area.

One of the first local businesses to get involved and offer a work placement is Carrington Business Park.

As a subsidiary of Shell UK, the business park is a major employer in the area, which houses 80 businesses who provide employment for more than 600 local people. It provides managed workspace for both start up and more established businesses in Trafford, as well as conference and meeting facilities.

Jobseeker, Stephen, is celebrating after landing an eight-week placement at the business park. The placement will involve him gaining vital work experience in a range of different operational areas including finance, estates, sales and customer services.

He said: “I have two children and until now I’ve mainly done bar work. I want to move into office work, so that my hours are more sociable and fit in around my children. This placement at the business park will hopefully give me the work experience I need to make the move and get a job in this sector. I want to build my portfolio and prove to employers what I can do.”

Janet Smith, general manager at Carrington Business Park, said: “Our ethos as a business is to offer small businesses the space they need to succeed and grow and this extends to our staff. We like to get involved and support the local community through mentoring, work experience placements and charity work, and being involved in the Partington Pledge is a good way for us to do this.

“The jobs market is incredibly tough these days, particularly for young people and work experience can make the world of difference when applying for jobs.”

Stephen’s job prospects are already looking brighter. He has impressed his colleagues and Your Housing Group has already offered him another work placement at the end of his placement with Carrington Business Park.

Alan Wearden from the Department for Work and Pensions said: “Stephen’s proactive and enthusiastic approach to his job search has paid off. Most importantly, he asked for help and this has resulted in him being given him the opportunity to gain the work experience he needs.

“I would urge others to follow Stephen’s example and seek help from the job centre. We work closely with our partners and local businesses to find work placements and job opportunities, and Stephen is proof that there are opportunities out there for young people if they show the initiative.”

Cllr Michael Hyman, executive councillor for economic growth and prosperity, said: “I’m thrilled that the Partington Pledge is helping unemployed youngsters in Partington to gain the work experience they need.

“I would urge other local businesses in the area to get involved with the initiative and give the young people of Partington the chance to show what they can do. I’m sure that the work experience Stephen gains at Carrington Business Park will improve his job prospects immensely. I wish him the best of luck.”