Braintree jobseekers are to be given the skills they need to find work in the top designer stores planned for the new Freeport retail park.

The retail park, which is planned to open in the autumn, is expected to offer around 350 full and part-time jobs in a number of top-name stores.

Free courses, aimed at getting local people into a wide range of jobs at the park, are being offered now at Braintree Centre of Technology in South Street.

The one-day-a-week courses, which will run for six weeks blocks throughout the summer, are being offered to almost 50 jobseekers, whether long term unemployed, women returners or teenagers.

The courses will concentrate on computer, clerical and administration skills, customer care, meeting the public, preparing a CV and interview technique and health and and safety.

The training scheme is being funded by the East Braintree Partnership as part of the single regeneration budget for the former industrial area of the town.

Centre manager, Russell Everard, said this week that take-up for the courses has been good, although there are still places available for the second programme of courses which starts next month.

"We are trying to give local people a little bit of an edge, by giving them the job skills they need," he said.

"We believe that local people should go into local jobs wherever possible and this is a real opportunity to make that happen.

He added that people taking part in the course will have the chance to use the centre's extensive computer facilities, helped by specialist staff.

"The programme is very much about student participation, this is active learning.

''We are trying to give people just a little more confidence and the skills they need to apply for those jobs.

"This could be very good news for East Braintree and the whole town.

''It is a chance for us to demonstrate that the training we give actually gives results. We believe that we will be successful and match local jobs to local people."

The courses are being held at the centre from 9.30am to 4.30pm. For more details call 01376 347131.

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