Law firm Keoghs to create new job opportunities for Bolton’s unemployed

Law firm Keoghs has revealed plans to offer fresh job opportunities after taking on eight new employees through its Sector Based Work Academy initiative.

Working in partnership with Bolton Council, Bolton College and JobCentre Plus, over the last six months the firm has provided roles for eight successful recruits.

Bolton-headquartered Keoghs launched the sector-based government scheme last summer with the aim of offering secure full-time jobs for local unemployed people.

Now, the firm plans to fill further roles with an open day on Tuesday (January 31).

Keoghs’ CSR manager, Rachel Mitchell-Denson, said: “Sometimes there can be a misconception that you need to be a solicitor or have a degree to work for a firm such as Keoghs when, in actual fact, this couldn’t be further from the truth.

“We are absolutely committed to employing and training applicants from the Bolton area, especially those who have the desire and passion to work but just need someone to open a door for them.”

She added: “Working in partnership with Team Bolton has been hugely rewarding but more than anything we have found some amazing new people who would never even have considered us an employer.”

The Executive Cabinet Member for Regeneration at Bolton Council, Cllr Ebrahim Adia, commented: “We’re really pleased that Keoghs are working with the Team Bolton partnership again to recruit more local people into jobs.

“Team Bolton is a fantastic example of how partnership working across different organisations can help improve the skills and employment opportunities of our residents.”

Daniel Gradwell, one of those now employed through the scheme, took on the role of business support assistant last July.

Discussing his appointment, he said: “I had faced nine months of unemployment before attending the open day and I had lost all motivation in finding a job and in myself.

“I felt drained looking for work and it seemed like a never ending road of disappointment. I would not have approached Keoghs as an employee, as ‘solicitors’ was a big scary word for someone with no skills in that area and I never thought about the other positions that could be available in various areas.”

He added: “I have ended up meeting and working with amazing people and this is the best job I have had. Looking back, I can’t believe I was scared to take that first step.”