AN initiative by the East Lancashire training and Enterprise Council is putting unemployed people on target for new careers.

ELTEC's Target Training helps unemployed people of all ages gain new skills to help fill gaps in the local labour market.

It has already helped former textile worker Mohammed Rafiq find the permanent, full-time job he wanted after four years of unemployment.

The 48-year-old from Nelson enrolled on a Target course, brushed up his language skills and completed a machining and processing course with Pendle Re-Employment, which led to a job at Nelson-based foam convertors Recticel Pendle.

Recticel's works manager, Pius Adefuye , said: "We employ Target participants because they are well-trained and motivated. Mohammed is very good at his job and a welcome addition to the team.

"We are so impressed with his progress that we will definitely be using Target to recruit more staff in the future."

ELTEC's director of training operations, Dave Williams, said: "In order to compete for the jobs available in East Lancashire, unemployed people need to gain up-to-date qualifications based on relevant job skills.

"They can achieve this through Target Training, with specialist support from quality training providers like Pendle Re-Employment."

Anyone interested in Target Training should contact their local Jobcentre.

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