More than 5,000 jobs with more than 40 companies will be on offer to ex-Thomas Cook and supply chain staff at Manchester airport jobs fair.
Airlines including British Airways, Tui and Jet2.com will be represented at the event at the Runway Visitor Park tomorrow (Thursday).
Other travel brands include Hilton and Mercure Hotels, while a range of other retail, engineering and logistics businesses – ranging from Next, Booking.com and Vodaphone to Travelex, Network Rail and Swissport – will also be represented.
They will be joined by support services such as the Citizens Advice Bureau, the Airport Academy and Jobcentre Plus.
The event will offer one-to-one advice and direct people to relevant sources of information, advice and guidance about work, skills and training opportunities; how to claim redundancy payments, benefits; and wider wellbeing support.
Former Thomas Cook and supply chain employees must register their attendance at the employment fair in advance by visiting www.gmthomascook.com.
Spaces are now limited due to strong demand from the collapsed company’s staff, but there is still time for those impacted to register for the event.
Free public transport to the event is being provided by Manchester airport, Transport for Greater Manchester and bus, train and tram operators.
Mark Hughes, chair of the Greater Manchester Taskforce established in the wake of the Thomas Cook failure, said: “This has been a very difficult time for the 3,000 former Thomas Cook employees in the north-west and those in the wider supply chain.
“We have already been able to reach many of those affected through a dedicated website which has had over 8,000 visitors so far, and our helpline, email and drop-ins which are receiving enquiries every day.
“We hope this support and employment fair will enable us to reach out to as many of those affected as possible so we can continue to provide the right support for those who need it most.
“The support we have put in place through the Taskforce will be in place for as long as it is needed to ensure people have access to ongoing help beyond this initial period of uncertainty.”
Airport CEO Andrew Cowan added: “The whole of the Manchester airport community was shocked and saddened by the news of Thomas Cook’s collapse.
“We are aware of the significant impact this has had on Thomas Cook’s 3,000 employees in the region, the majority of whom were close colleagues and friends of ours.
“That is why we are determined to come together as an airport community, and to work with our partners in the city and wider region, to do all we can to help those who have sadly lost their jobs.
“There are so many talented and experienced people who have found themselves in this predicament through no fault of their own, so we hope this event will provide some help and support to them at this challenging time.”
Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham said: “This employment fair shows how quickly Greater Manchester can pull together as a community to support those who need help and support during difficult times.
“Those people affected by Thomas Cook’s collapse will, quite understandably, be taking stock and deciding what they need to do to respond to this very challenging situation.
“By putting them in touch with employers across the north-west who have immediate vacancies, we hope it won’t be long before they are back in work.”
Other companies attending tomorrow include:
- Swissport
- Menzies
- SSP
- Travelex
- NHS
- Next
- McDonalds
- Booking.com
- Whitbread
- Vodaphone
- Metrolink
- BUPA
- Network Rail
- United Utilities
- Co-op