Opportunity Knocks in Dearne Valley

Left to right: Sue Ventor of Job Centre Plus, Bob
Johnson, Partnership Director for LSC in Rotherham,
and John Healey, former financial secretary to
the treasury.

As part of his drive to improve business conditions and employment in the Dearne Valley, local MP John Healey staged an event for around 30 local employers at the Royal Mail offices in Cortonwood.

The Dearne Valley Skills Summit gave employers the opportunity to discuss how local people can benefit further from the new job opportunities now available in the area. Employers discussed issues relating to recruitment, skills development, skills provision and skills strategies both now and in the future. Organised by the Dearne Valley Employers Forum and the LSC, the summit was arranged as part of an on-going series of events for Dearne-based employers.

The Forum was set up by John Healey, former financial secretary to the treasury, to ensure that local employers have a strong voice in securing future economic success for the area. John was joined by speakers from Jobcentre Plus and the LSC, who spoke about 'The Local Labour Market' and 'Prioritising Skills and Training'.

At the event John commented: "I want people living in the Dearne to succeed both in getting into work and getting on at work. This event is for Dearne employers - to give them a chance to see what's on offer, and to find out if we can meet their needs and the needs of potential employees better. The government and MPs want local employers to succeed, in a rapidly changing economy, we want the Dearne and local residents to succeed, and we want government agencies, policies and our investment of public money to help support them in their efforts."