BEING made redundant after 25 years as a machinist gave Julie Irvine (pictured) the spur to find a new career.

After taking a training course she has landed a job as an accounts assistant at Accrington-based greeting card firm Hallmark.

Julie, from Burnley, took the Target Training programme, aimed at re-skilling the unemployed in East Lancashire to fill gaps in the local labour market.

She studied for NVQs in business administration before securing her new role.

"Even though I was thinking of a change of career anyway, it still knocked my confidence when I was made redundant," said Julie.

"The Target Training programme gave me the skills I needed to be able to work in business administration and also helped to rebuild my self belief and give me the confidence to apply for different jobs."