News: Junction launch in Rotherham

50 local employers attended the launch of a business support programme in Rotherham last month.

The Junction has been established with the sole aim of helping Rotherham employers maximise the full potential of their business.

The programme is supported financially by Yorkshire Forward and the European Regional Development Fund. This significant investment means The Junction are able to provide a no cost solution for the employers of Rotherham.

The Junction offers a "one stop" business support to local companies and support is dictated by the needs of each business. This can range from workforce development, training, funding sources through to the recruitment and retention of staff.

Rother Valley MP Kevin Barron who cut the ribbon at the Junction's new premises said: "This is a great initiative, to bring on board, especially as the economic downturn has resulted in high levels of business administration and unemployment within Rotherham."

The Junction is now managed by BEST Ltd, one of the country's leading providers of innovative, government sponsored training programmes.

Since the start of the programme, the Junction have worked with over 150 employers from across all sectors to help safeguard five jobs and fill 20 vacancies.

One Rotherham company to benefit from the Junction service is M.B Products Ltd. Roger Godfrey, their managing director, said: "Recruitment is time consuming, especially for a small business as time is money.

"The services The Junction provide are high quality and government funded, with no cost to the employer and made life much easier. From advertising, to preliminary interviews, they provide a package of support, leaving us to simply choose from the cream of the candidates.

"We have two employees that have settled really well, not only in their job roles, but into the culture of the company."

The Junction website

Images: best-train.com