Oldham Council is putting plans into place to help an estimated 350 people who could be affected by Yodel closing its large site at Shaw in the borough.
Senior officers from the Council have already been in discussions with Yodel management and have developed a range of support – including basing specialist training and employment advisors at Yodel’s Shaw location to help staff.
As well as continuing to explore and develop further opportunities to support people potentially facing redundancy over the coming weeks and months, the Council’s initial support package includes:
- Advisors from Oldham Council’s Get Oldham Working team based at the Yodel depot to provide an on-the-spot service. This service aims to help people find work and training opportunities.
- Full information and immediate access to the Get Oldham Working service which includes practical support and help finding and applying for jobs, advice on employment options; advice on suitable training and support to access courses and Apprenticeships; information about local jobs and recruitment events; support and signposting to other services to help with areas such as money management, energy and household bills, benefits, and health and well-being.
- Joining-up with other Local Authorities via GMCA to provide signposting to wider job opportunities and initiatives in Greater Manchester including for people employed by Yodel at the location but not living in Oldham borough.
- Links to local specialist recruitment agencies, eg for HGV drivers.
Cllr Arooj Shah, Leader of Oldham Council and Cabinet Member for Reform and Regeneration, said: “This is devastating news for local people and their families and friends. These potentially large-scale job losses come at a time when people are already struggling because of the cost of living crisis in the UK.
“We are stepping up to help as a Council – and will continue to support local workers in any way we can. Officers are working with Yodel management and have developed an urgent plan of action to provide support. Our specialist staff and resources are being dedicated to these efforts in areas such as helping people find new jobs, training opportunities, and linking them up with wider Council and partners’ support services.
“This is a committed local workforce who have worked hard to deliver for Yodel, and have significant skills and abilities that other organisations can benefit from. It’s a real blow for local people but we are determined to do everything we can to help them and to continue growing various areas of our local economy and help create more jobs for the future.”
A statement from Yodel’s CEO, has been published on the company’s website here.
