A Bolsover-based company has been helped to fill six vacancies over an eight month period through a programme running in Bolsover that is designed to support the recruitment needs of local businesses and help long-term unemployed residents of the area find work.

David Clarke, Managing Director of Autosupplies Limited, approached Ian Bates who is the Business Engagement Officer of the Bolsover Employment and Training Initiative (BETI) for assistance in filling a number of vacancies at his firm.

“We sought the help of the BETI Team,” said David, “because we wanted to look at our application process and increase the calibre and number of applicants, as well as reducing the amount of money we were spending on advertising job vacancies.

“The BETI Team has supported us across a number of vacancies during the last few months; their knowledge of the apprenticeship matching system (AVOL) has been particularly helpful in meeting our apprenticeship needs.”

Ian commented, “We met with David and his team at Autosupplies to discuss their needs and helped David fill a Sales Representative Role earlier this year by working with them to create new job descriptions, person specifications and application forms. We were able to promote the vacancy through our networks to increase the number of applicants.

“A Trade Counter Apprentice was promoted through our interagency network and we liaised with Training Provider Babcock Training to provide the apprentice framework.

We have also helped David find a Van Driver, an additional Trade Counter Apprentice, a new Parts Person and a Warehouse Operative vacancy,” added Ian.

The BETI Project is a two year scheme that aims to help get more than 100 local people into jobs before March 2012. It is a free service delivered by Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire Chamber and funded by Bolsover District Council through the Working Neighbourhoods Fund.

The project has two elements: it can provide training for local unemployed residents to build their confidence and get them work-ready by providing additional skills, as well as helping local employers fill their vacancies.

BETI can aid firms relocating to the Bolsover area as well as indigenous firms find suitable staff to fill vacancies.

Call Ian Bates on 07973 251 409 or go to www.beti.org.uk if your business is based in Bolsover or Chesterfield (there is a similar project for Chesterfield businesses and residents) and you need help recruiting.