A range of ongoing recruitment initiatives are still available to help career and business prospects recover from the impacts of Covid-19.

The government's decision to enforce national lockdown restrictions from tomorrow (Thursday 5 November) will result in the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (CJRS) – also known as the furlough scheme – being extended for a period of one month until December.

Employees will receive 80% of their current salary for hours not worked up to a maximum of £2,500.

The council are in the process of developing new grants and initiatives which will be available to support local businesses within the coming weeks.

In the meantime, Cheshire and Warrington LEP's jobs portal is accessible for employers and job seekers in the borough, providing constructive information on apprenticeships, job vacancies and training courses.

The online tool displays industries with the highest number of vacancies, allowing users to identify the right opportunity, to select by postcode. Find out more here.

Alongside this, work continues to be done by businesses across Cheshire East to set up gateway organisations or intermediaries, helping smaller enterprises access the government Kickstart scheme.

If you're creating fewer than 30 job placements, use this service to find a gateway to apply for the right grant for you.

Councillor Sarah Pochin, Cheshire East Council's business champion, said: "Local companies such as Springboard in Congleton and the South Cheshire Chamber of Commerce are doing a fantastic job, to match employer enquiries with placements for young people aged 16-24 for up to six months.

"Plus Dane Housing is also working hard to ensure there are opportunities out there for those who might be unemployed already, or about to lose their jobs at the end of the furlough extension this November.

"I've been really impressed by companies giving people from a diverse range of backgrounds the opportunity to enhance their job prospects, during a time which has challenged people with unforeseen hardship.

"Cheshire East is still in a state of recovery; I think it's important these initiatives are continuing to be available, as businesses enter more uncertainty approaching the second lockdown."

Alderley Park Lighthouse Lab has been a vital recruiter in the North West, generating 381 employment opportunities in the life science sector, the facility continues to play a key role towards increasing Covid-19 testing capacity.

Professor Chris Molloy, CEO of Medicines Discovery Catapult (MDC), said: "We've been hugely impressed by the sheer volume and diversity of the number of people coming on board with us.

"Many of our employees tasked with processing the swab tests are graduates and placement students, overseen by experts.

"The Lighthouse Labs Network presents early career researchers and experienced scientists alike with the opportunity to develop their expertise at a crucial time for the country – playing a pivotal role in the battle against coronavirus."

For all current Medicines Discovery Catapult job openings, including Alderley Park Lighthouse Lab Scientist roles, please visit here.

For more information on recruitment resources available for businesses, contact Councillor Sarah Pochin [email protected]