Canning Town market regeneration scouting local talent

Over 100 job seekers turned out for an Employment Opportunities Open Day last week, hoping to get a job at the Rathbone Market regeneration site in Canning Town.

Over 100 residents attended the event hoping to impress potential employers from the local area to discuss jobs within the next phase of the market’s construction, one of six such projects being delivered by the English Cities Fund.

Newham Council, recruitment centre the Workplace, and representative from local colleges were present to talk to employers while one, Munnelly Support Services, recruited from Canning Town homeless charity Anchor House’s residential and life skills centre for its new waste management project.

Councillor Paul Schafer, who officially opened the event, said: “It’s encouraging to see so many people take advantage of this day and especially to see our local businesses getting involved in the community.

“Newham is looking forward to an important and exciting year in 2012 with the Olympics and it’s great to see our residents embracing the increasing opportunities to contribute to the regeneration of the area.”

John Sisk and Son, the main building contractors on the project, say that they are committed to employing at least 25 per cent of its entire workforce from the Newham area.

Anthony Greene, senior site manager at John Sisk & Son, said, “The day was a great success and we were really pleased with the turnout.

“We have been doing a lot of local community work while based in Canning Town, primarily with children, so we are pleased to be able to do something for local adults seeking work.”