A new “Job Shop” which aims to help connect students and apprentices to leading businesses has been officially opened.
The Job Shop was opened earlier this month by Bolton College and will also be open to the public to help them find work and advance their careers.
The ribbon cutting ceremony was led by deputy principal Mark Burgoyne.
He said: "Bolton College has a history of supporting the people of Bolton and beyond, equipping them with the skills and qualifications for successful careers.
“Bolton College's Job Shop formally recognises our commitment to not only supporting our learners but being a key organisation for helping employers and businesses to fill vacancies.
“We are so grateful to the employers, organisations and stakeholders who have attended the launch to support this exciting new venture."
Along with Mr Burgoyne and his colleagues from Bolton College, attendees also included representatives from Bolton at Home, Bolton Council, Connexions, Alliance Learning, Bolton NHS and the University of Bolton.
There were also college board members and other organisations and businesses present at the event.
Bolton College, which in turn is part of the University of Bolton Group, now aims to use the Job Shop as a hub in its Student Experience Zone.
As well as connecting students to businesses, Mr Burgoyne and his colleagues say that they hope those same businesses will be able to find new sources of talent.
Ben Sudworth, a manufacturing engineering manager at MBDA (UK), is one of several leading figures that the college hopes will be involved.
He said: “The Job Shop is a great innovation and an important tool to bridge the gap between what employers need and what education offers.
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“It offers employers a great way to create strong connections with education and create a pipeline of skilled workers for Bolton and the wider area.
“Working with the college is a partnership, Bolton College takes pride in the work they do with industry, including tailoring curriculum based on industry feedback, giving their students the best opportunity to prepare for employment.”
The Job Shop can be found at the college’s Deane Road Campus and is open from Monday to Friday, 9am-4pm.
To find out more, call 01204 482 182 or email job.shop@boltoncc.ac.uk.
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