BOLTON and Bury Chamber is among the training and enterprise councils (TECs) in Greater Manchester whose work has been praised.

The tribute is embraced within the first annual review produced by the North West Council for Training and Enterprise (NWCTE).

Among the initiatives singled out for a special mention in the review are Working Options Greater Manchester.

This scheme has been developed by a number of partners, including Bolton and Bury Chamber.

The initiative has proved to be a key route to helping people back to employment through a number of projects designed to better prepare people for the job market.

Tony Gill, outgoing director of the North West Council for Training and Enterprise, said: "Time and time again, North West training and enterprise councils are demonstrating their drive and commitment to promoting economic growth by taking the initiative and developing them to the needs of the specific areas they serve.

"Partnership is the key to the success of all these TECs and their sheer hard work is now paying dividends."

The Council, which acts as a focal point for the work of all the 14 TECs across the region, was formed with the aim of strengthening the regional contribution of such organisations.

In bringing together their work, the NWCTE is now able to demonstrate the massive impact the TECs have had on the economic well-being of the region.

These include: -

14,425 young people embarking upon a Modern Apprenticeship

32,398 previously unemployed adults and young people helped into work

7,500 companies each month working with North West Business Links

More than 3,500 new business starts

By August 1998, 1,677 North West companies were recognised as Investors in People.

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