A BRADFORD manufacturing firm is holding a recruitment event later this month in a bid to expand its operations.

Powell UK, an electrical engineering manufacturer, wants to recruit 40 new members of staff, across a number of unskilled, semi-skilled and skilled roles.

It is holding the event in partnership with Bradford Council’s SkillsHouse which aims to aid recruitment across the district.

The information and assessment event takes place on Tuesday, January 14, from 10am at SkillsHouse in Forster Square, Bradford.

Stephanie Rix, HR director at Powell UK, told the Telegraph & Argus: “We are a Bradford based manufacturing business with a parent firm in Houston.

“We are going through significant growth and looking increase out head count by over 40.

“We are working in partnerhsip with Bradford Council and their SkillsHouse programme and we are doing some interesting work with the DWP.”

She added that the information and assessment event would be followed by some employability training with Shipley College for those successful candidates.

The firm, which currently employs around 250 people, is a bespoke low and medium voltage switchgear manufacturer - primarily for the oil and gas industry, and is based at Ripley Road.

Ms Rix added that this was the first time the firm had recruited in this way, using SkillsHouse, but that they were also planning an open day in February to target people already in work.

The information event in the morning starts at 10am and ends at noon, which is a chance for those attending to find out whether the available jobs at Powell are suitable.

Anyone interested in applying to the firm would then be invited to return to SkillsHouse the same afternoon for an initial assessment, which lasts from 1pm to 4pm.

It will include a numeracy and literacy assessment as well as a group task.

Managers from Powell UK will be present on the day and will be able to answer questions about a career with them.

SkillsHouse was set up in 2015 by Bradford Council as part of its long-term programme, Get Bradford Working, in a bid to tackle unemployment levels in the district.

It is a partnership offering a one-stop solution for recruitment, and is open to all unemployed people in the district.

Many of the people SkillsHouse works with have been unemployed for more than a year, are recovering from a period of ill health, or require support with progression in literacy and numeracy.

Those undertaking pre-employment training with SkillsHouse are also guaranteed an interview and additional support in order to help them to secure employment.

The partnership consists of a team funded by the Council and backed by the DWP and the National Careers Service, as well as key delivery partners, Bradford College, Aspire-Igen and Shipley College, who work closely together to provide a range of coordinated services.

To register for the event visit eventbrite.co.uk.