Member Article

‘Linking the Locks’ launched in Warrington and Widnes

The Linking the Locks project has been officially launched at events held in Warrington and Widnes.

Delivered by Warrington & Co. the Linking the Locks project is a joint project between Warrington BC, Halton BC with specialist input from the Sankey Canal Restoration Society (SCARS).

Linking the Locks will provide a package of support to businesses and organisations located along the route of the Sankey Canal.

Events were held at True Fit Golf Centre, Cuerdley and Catalyst Science Museum, Spike Island and were attended by a mix of local businesses, partners and key agencies in Warrington and Halton, delegates reacted positively to news of the project’s aims which includes:

Financial support with apprentice wage costs, allowing businesses to pay at least National Minimum Wage to their apprentices, improving retention, long-term development and attracting the best candidates.

Free support with recruitment, including advertising, pre-screening and ongoing support once the apprentice is in post.

Accessing wider business support from local partners.

Additional training/development needs are met using local b2b referrals, accessing relevant funding support wherever applicable

Both Warrington BC and Halton BC aim to re-establish the historic Sankey cCnal to full navigation, thereby generating new leisure/tourism and business opportunities to both boroughs

Jonathan Aghanian of Warrington & Co., said “This is a unique programme for small-medium businesses based along the historic Sankey Canal route.

“Not only will the project make a valued contribution to improvements in the local environment, crucially it will enable businesses to access financial assistance and expert guidance on recruiting and retaining skilled apprentices/trainees in the local area.

Coupled with the ability to access wider support from our partners in this project, it really does present a fantastic opportunity for organisations within Warrington and Widnes“.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Simon Malia .