TNT Post to create over 1000 new jobs in Greater Manchester. The regional jobs boost welcomed by Government, local councils and MIDAS

TNT Post, the UK’s largest private postal operator has announced that it is to create over 1000 new jobs in Greater Manchester in November with the launch of its postal delivery service. TNT Post is actively recruiting in the region with the support of Job Centre Plus and Avanta. The company has also used its own Pre- Employment Training course which establishes a candidate’s suitability for the role and has seen over 600 candidates so far. The company is passionate about helping the long term and youth unemployed into work and has had excellent feedback on its success in London where it has been operating its delivery service since April 2012.

The nature of the job roles on offer varies from Posties to back office support. The flexible nature of the work makes the jobs ideal for local residents, including women returning to work, second jobbers, those balancing childcare commitments and school/college leavers. The new delivery service will operate alongside the traditional Royal Mail postman but the TNT Post Postie will complete their deliveries using bicycles. In addition, for the first time every letter is scanned, with a track and trace service, which will help provide a high quality of customer service. TNT Post has had dedicated operations in the North West for many years and has a distribution and sorting centre in Warrington where the sorting of mail for the new service will take place.

Nick Wells, CEO TNT Post said: “We are passionate about creating new job opportunities for the people of Greater Manchester and delighted to make this announcement. The postal industry is undergoing great change and I am proud that TNT Post is able to create new jobs for people who need them and also to provide career opportunities for those who want to progress in a growing company. “We are a dynamic company with motivated people working to provide great customer service. Our commitment to training and development will not only benefit TNT Post employees, but also the wider business community as our Posties progress their career with us or look for new opportunities within other businesses.”

Chancellor of the Exchequer George Osborne MP said: ''I am delighted that TNT Post are announcing the creation of 1000 jobs here in Manchester now and 20,000 jobs across the UK over the next 5 years. Today's news is great for Manchester, and offers real opportunities for young people looking for work and the long term unemployed in this area. It is a vote of confidence in Britain.'' Minister for Employment Mark Hoban MP said:? “I was delighted to hear that TNT Post are to create more than 1000 new jobs in Greater Manchester.? Their record of offering opportunities to young people and long term unemployed is impressive, and I welcome the fact that they will be working closely with Jobcentre Plus and the Work Programme to fill these vacancies.”

Tim Newns of MIDAS who said that he was delighted that TNT Post had chosen Greater Manchester for the next phase of its delivery service rollout which will bring many new jobs to the region. MIDAS has been working with the postal company over the past year to help develop its delivery infrastructure, including finding the 11 delivery units the company will open in Manchester, Trafford, Salford, Wigan and Bury which will enable the company to deliver to all households and businesses within the M postcode. Tim Newns, added: “I’m delighted that TNT Post has chosen to invest in Greater Manchester, in a development which will a have hugely positive impact on economic growth and job creation across nine out of the ten local authorities. TNT Post has championed innovation in the industry and it is testament to the strength of our logistics sector that Greater Manchester has been chosen as the first region outside of London to receive this investment. I wish the company a warm welcome to Manchester and MIDAS will continue to provide support for the project as it develops.”

Sir Richard Leese, leader of Manchester City Council, said: “This scale of investment and job creation in and around Manchester is always welcome and it's pleasing that TNT Post has decided to launch a major Greater Manchester operation. Their approach to recruitment, especially in reaching out to the long-term unemployed and younger people, is commendable.” Barbara Spicer, Chief Executive, Salford City Council and board member for Greater Manchester Combine Authority said:

“This is a fantastic development and I think I can speak on behalf of all local authorities when I say that this is exactly the type of investment that we need to be encouraging in our region. “Unemployment continues to be a considerable issue in Greater Manchester and I am thrilled to learn that TNT Post will be creating up to 1,200 jobs, making a significant investment in the skills system and engaging with important schemes like Welfare to Work. As a commissioner for UKCES I’m particularly impressed by TNT Post’s record for taking on people with little or no qualifications and equipping them with the skills they need to participate fully in the modern economy and achieve their true potential.”