TRAINING and employment opportunities in the Okehampton area will be highlighted at the launch of a major initiative next month.

Okehampton Works, co-ordinated by Devon County Council, will be launched at the Okehampton Business Centre on Monday September 5 at 3pm.

It will kick-start a week of seminars from September 5 to Friday September 9 as part of the ongoing support to stimulate economic recovery and regeneration in the town.

The launch will provide a flavour of the week's courses and sessions to be offered to individuals and businesses throughout the week, and will be repeated on the same day at 6pm.

As part of the schedule, Job Centre Plus will host a Jobs Fair at the Ockment Centre from 10am to 1pm on Tuesday September 6, with employers to include Lyndridge Care Alternative Recruitment, Devonshire Desserts, and the White Hart Hotel.

A Skills Fair will take place at the centre from 10am to 1pm on Friday September 9, with providers including South West Careers, Westward Pathfinder Trust, Okehampton College and Okehampton Community and Voluntary Services.

Events for employers will include sessions on social marketing, marketing plans and web design, and specialist sessions on opportunities for smaller businesses.

Cllr Will Mumford, Devon County Council's cabinet member for economy, enterprise and employment said: 'Okehampton has been hit particularly hard this year by redundancies, and the impact has been devastating for many families.

'Okehampton Works is a week-long event which has been organised with the aim of getting people in the community back into work, helping others who may want to set up their own business and providing support and advice to established local firms to help them grow.

'As a county council we are determined to drive economic recovery that will make a difference to people in the town and surrounding area.'

Cllr James McInnes, leader of West Devon Borough Council, said: 'The Okehampton Works event demonstrates what can be achieved by working together and it has been encouraging to see co-operation between so many partners, businesses and the community.

'This week is designed to help individuals as well as local companies, and it's vital that as a community we support our local businesses.'

Other sessions during Okehampton Works will cover a range of subjects, including money management, consumer legislation and information on starting up a business.

Cllr Christine Marsh said: 'Here is an opportunity for local people and local firms to make the most of the training and advice available, and it could make a real difference to anyone who attends.'

The initiative builds on the 'Response to Redundancy' training undertaken in Okehampton by Westward Pathfinder and supported by Devon County Council alongside West Devon Borough Council, Devon and Cornwall Business Council, Okehampton Town Council, Business Information Point and a number of public, private and voluntary bodies earlier this year.

At least two thirds of those who were assisted with training were back in employment within three months.

For more information and details of the event schedule visit http://www.devoneconomy.co.uk/okehamptonworks">www.devoneconomy.co.uk/okehamptonworks