New chief exec for Work Solutions

MANCHESTER’S employment market is “still strong”, according to Work Solutions’ new chief executive Jerry Stokes.

The not-for-profit employment and training company has recruited Mr Stokes from national drugs charity Lifeline, where he was deputy chief executive.

Mr Stokes said he is confident that Work Solutions will continue to find work for Greater Manchester residents, despite the economic downturn and threat of job losses.

“Greater Manchester’s employment market is still strong, and our partners in local, regional and national government are working hard to keep it that way.

“People are still in work and the hundreds of employers we speak to are still looking employ staff. We are working with employers in the public and private sectors to ensure that, wherever possible, local people can benefit from job opportunities. Those opportunities are certainly still there.”

Mr Stokes was appointed after Drew Thomas became deputy chief executive of Work Solutions’ parent company, Manchester Solutions, in April.