Pictured above: (l-r) Gill New, of Pertemps People Development Group, and Theresa King, of Exclusive Cleaning Contracts, at the Stoke-on-Trent employer event

Stoke-on-Trent job seekers are all set to secure work following an event held by local employment and training experts.

Sixteen businesses from across the Stoke area attended two lunchtime sessions hosted by Pertemps People Development Group (PPDG) at its Albany Works premises on Moorland Road in Burslem.

The event raised awareness of the beneficial employment and training services delivered by the company through its Flexible New Deal contract resulting in a subsequent number of job offers to PPDG clients. Two job seekers were offered new positions on the spot.

Keele University asked the company to help fill five positions including a night porter and catering assistant, whilst Matalan were looking for two assistant store managers. United Protection offered PPDG clients three security guard posts. Other positions included those in alarm response, security design and administration.

Theresa King, from family run Exclusive Cleaning Contracts, who already has a close working relationship with PPDG said: "PPDG understands our exact requirements, meaning we only ever see candidates who meet our criteria. We have recruited 11 new employees and after today we will be employing a further two."

Katie Howson, of Holmes Chapel based Fine Decor who needed to recruit a decorator, cleaner and a technician, commented that she felt the calibre of candidates available to choose from was particularly high.

Staffs Employer Engagement manager Chris Hassall, of Staffordshire PPDG, said the event had been a tremendous success and a real boost to the aspirations of local job seekers.

Over the past 18 months PPDG has helped 1,000 unemployed people back into work in Stoke-On-Trent alone, many of whom now work for local employers including Alton Towers and Dudson. To learn more about employment opportunities across Staffordshire contact Chris on 07739 677196.

In partnership with DWP, the Ministry of Justice and Jobcentre Plus, PPDG delivers a diverse range of employment and training initiatives. More than 100,000 job seekers have been helped into sustained employment by the company since the projects began. It has trained 130,000 people in vocational skills, and over 175,000 people have benefitted from professional information, advice and guidance services.