The Council’s green light for the extension of the White Rose Shopping Centre offers the opportunity to build on the hundreds of jobs created at the centre during 2013.
Among the latest to find employment is a team of six car park assistants and three apprentices employed by OCS, the centre’s facilities management provider.
Gerald Jennings, portfolio director for Land Securities, which owns and manages White Rose, said: “We are delighted that new store and restaurant openings this year have created work opportunities, particularly for young people looking to get a foot on the employment ladder.”
As well as those employed by the stores and restaurants that have opened during the past 12 months, the car park assistants have been recruited to ensure the efficient use of parking spaces.
The news has been welcomed by Councillors in South Leeds. Councillor Kim Groves (Middleton Park), Area Lead for Employment, Skills and Welfare (Inner South), said:
“We are very pleased that this exciting expansion has been approved. This will offer a wider range of activities at the White Rose Centre, including a brand new cinema. After the loss of cinemas in South Leeds I am very glad that residents will have such a good facility in the local area.
“The Point at White Rose is already up and running, providing information and help to find work and training for local people of all ages. These plans include the creation of around 1,000 new long term jobs, with 195 construction jobs to expand the Centre. This expansion will guarantee the sustainability of existing jobs alongside creating new employment opportunities.”
The Point, which opened at White Rose in autumn 2012 is a partnership between Land Securities, Leeds City Council, Job Centre Plus and Leeds City College. The Point provides help, guidance and training for people seeking employment.
Among those to find work at the centre through this route is OCS apprentice Liam Lightowler (pictured back, left).
Meanwhile, Dan Emmett (pictured back, second from left) an award winning fourth year apprentice employed by NG Bailey, has successfully completed his training in complex building management at White Rose and will be moving on to a permanent position with his company in the New Year, when Fellow apprentice Nathan Waters will be joining the on-site NG Bailey team at the centre.
