A CHESHIRE and Warrington LEP-led online jobs portal that updates thousands of jobs, apprenticeships and training opportunities every 30 minutes is getting even bigger.

It comes after 13 organisations committed funding and their support to the one-stop shop window to the world of work. 

The Cheshire and Warrington Opportunities Portal (Portal) offers a single place to search for a range of opportunities across the region and is free to use. 

There are currently more than 18,000 vacancies on the platform. The Portal also has information about over 250 apprenticeships in the region.  

The 13 partners backing the portal comprise a range of organisations including local councils, colleges and housing associations and have collectively contributed about £20,000 to fund the portal for the next year. 

Crucially they have also helped develop the website in order to provide a more streamlined experience.  

The portal was initially funded by NP11 - a business-led voice for the North that brings together the 11 Local Enterprise Partnerships (LEPs) across the North of England - when it was created as a pilot in October 2020.  

Cheshire and Warrington LEP took over in April 2021 before a partnership funding model was formed with eight partners in 2022, growing to 13 partners in 2023.  

Pat Jackson, director of skills and education at Cheshire and Warrington LEP, said: “We’re really proud of the [ortal and the work it is doing to assist people across the region to find relevant opportunities and help find the right career for them.

"The platform has gone from strength to strength, and we’re delighted that the funding from our partners has enabled us to enhance the Portal and secure its future for a further year” 

The 13 partners are:  

 

·         Cheshire and Warrington Pledge 

·         Cheshire College South and West 

·         Cheshire East Council 

·         Cheshire West and Chester Council

·         Macclesfield College 

·         Priestley College 

·         Reaseheath College 

·         South Cheshire Chamber of Commerce and Industry

·         Torus Foundation 

·         Warrington and Vale Royal College 

·         Warrington Borough Council 

·         Weaver Vale Housing Trust 

·         Youthfed