Oldham Council Leader Cllr Arooj Shah visited the Get Oldham Working (GOW) team on Wednesday to see how the employment service is transforming lives across the borough. Since its 2013 launch, GOW has created over 20,500 opportunities and helped more than 15,800 residents secure work, apprenticeships or training.

The service, which supports between 6,000 and 7,000 Oldham residents annually, offers comprehensive assistance including CV writing, job applications, interview skills and mental health support. Cllr Shah met with staff and service users to learn about the Working Wardrobe initiative, which provides free interview clothing to boost confidence.

“Get Oldham Working is an essential service for our residents. It’s about so much more than just finding a job, it’s about building confidence, learning new skills and giving people the right support to move forward,” Cllr Shah said. “Finding a job can be a daunting task, and this service is here to help anyone who needs it take that next step.”

GOW collaborates with 2,000 employers across Greater Manchester and offers specialized programmes including Step into the NHS and Step into Care. The service provides targeted support for young people, care leavers, lone parents, veterans, refugees and those with health conditions. What began as a six-person team has grown to over 50 staff members, operating entirely on external contracts without using council funds.

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