Orchard Skills Centre official opening

Orchard Skills Centre on Drake Street, Rochdale was officially opened on 23rd February, with a ceremonial ribbon-cutting by the Mayor and Mayoress, Councillor Keith Swift and Ms Sue Etchells.

Orchard Training Solutions; Hopwood Hall College’s Employer Engagement Arm developed the skills centre after the government launched the Response to Redundancy (R2R) initiative in mid 2009. The aim of the project is to help individuals who are unemployed or at risk of redundancy and make training available so they can broaden their skill range and increase their employability.

The College’s Vice-Principal for Finance & Corporate Services, John Spindler, and the College’s Vice-Principal for Skills, Dr O J Rahim, members of the College executive, local government representatives, partners, tutors and students attended.

The opening provided an opportunity for the many organisations who work with the skills centre to meet and celebrate the successes that the project has enjoyed so far.

Jane McAuley, R2R Project Co-ordinator said: “In just a short space of time since the skills centre opened in early November, we’ve already had learners who have completed training courses, secured job interviews and accepted job offers. In an area of high unemployment like Rochdale, this is a fantastic achievement.”

Siobhan Probert of Syke, a former hairdresser, had been unemployed for several months when she called in to the skills centre to enquire about the training opportunities available. Siobhan said: “The staff at the skills centre were friendly and really helpful. I wanted to get into office work and they put me on the office skills course followed by basic and intermediate IT. I got help updating my CV and was back in employment within 2 months of contacting them. I’d recommend anyone who is in my situation to contact the skills centre.”