A 62-year-old former MG Rover worker is looking forward to life after Longbridge after Redditch Jobcentre helped him find work with a local plumbers’ merchant.

John Garbett, from Oakenshaw in Redditch, worked on camshafts at Longbridge for 18 years. Straight after being made redundant in April, he contacted Redditch Jobcentre where a personal adviser was able to quickly match him with a suitable job vacancy.

The Jobcentre contacted The Plumb Center, Washford Drive, Park Farm, Redditch on John’s behalf and secured him an interview. John impressed at the interview and was offered a position. He started work on 13th June.

Dave Windle, manager of The Plumb Center, part of the Wolseley UK group, said:

“I am very pleased to have John on board. He is a willing and enthusiastic worker and age has certainly proved no barrier. His example shows that there is life after both Longbridge and reaching 60 years of age!”

Rosemary Thew, West Midlands director for Jobcentre Plus, said:

“I am delighted that John has found work so quickly. So far 1,450 MG Rover and supply chain employees have found full-time employment. We fully expect the numbers in employment to increase over the next few weeks. We are continuing to work closely with the 100 plus employers who took part in the Jobsfair as well as our key partners in the MG Rover Task Force, like the Learning and Skills Council, to find suitable training or employment opportunities.”

Over 100 ex MG Rover and supply chain workers are returning to the labour market every week with help and assistance from Jobcentre Plus. Previous experience of large-scale job losses shows that the vast majority of the redundant workforce re-enter the jobs market within a year. Jobcentre Plus is on course to achieve this.