Pictured above: (l-r) Sarah Guest, Chris Brothwood, Jason Walker (Store Manager), Melanie Dovey (PPDG) and Jane Hughes (PPDG) outside the Shrewsbury store

A partnership with expanding home and garden retailer The Range, is providing new opportunities for a number of Shropshire's long-term unemployed job seekers.

In Shrewsbury almost 50% of employees at the town's new store have been recruited through Government welfare to work contracts delivered by employment and training specialists Pertemps People Development Group (PPDG).

The company, with offices in Abbey Foregate, have worked alongside the retail giant to fill a variety of roles from warehouse to supervision.

Store Manager Jason Walker says providing jobs for local people is a positive benefit that brings added value to the local and regional economy and contributes to the growth of the business. 

"A number of our new employees haven't worked for quite a while," said Jason, "and yet their enthusiasm, flexibility and commitment really is apparent. We've worked hard to prepare people before they started to ensure they understand our business and this partnership approach is paying off particularly well."

Paul Williams, 40, from Gains Park, a well known steward at the Shrews Meadow stadium, hadn't been in full unemployment since 2007. Now a departmental assistant, Paul passed a number of Learn direct qualifications citing perseverance and flexibility as the key to his success.

New colleague Sarah Guest, 29, from Oswestry also found securing a job difficult up to a few weeks ago.

"I thought I was never going to find work until I got the right help from PPDG," she said, "and because we came through the process together we can all support one another now in work."

PPDG assisted the recruitment process by sifting and matching the job seekers to the relevant positions available and even facilitated the interviews in Abbey Foregate prior to the store opening.

PPDG Employer Engagement Manager, Melanie Dovey commented on how The Range's inclusive approach to recruitment was particularly refreshing. 

"People were offered positions based on their merit, personality and a desire to work, she said, "Securing work in the current economic climate is difficult enough if you're long-term unemployed, so companies like this must be applauded for giving job seekers a chance to prove they can contribute back to society."