OVER 100 representatives from the Asian business community attended Preston's first ever Asian business dinner recently.

Co-hosted by the Employment Service and Preston City Council at the city's Guild Hall, the event introduced Asian businesses to the recruitment support and financial assistance that is available to them.

It also gave delegates the opportunity to talk to local Asian employers that have successfully used the government's New Deal to recruit new staff.

Wage subsidies worth up to £75 a week and financial help towards the training of younger recruits has already convinced thousands of North West employers to sign-up to New Deal since its introduction in 1998.

Jobseekers participating in New Deal are assigned their own personal adviser to provide one-to-one help with jobsearch, as well as intensive support to help them overcome the individual barriers that are preventing them from working.

Be it a lack of confidence, equipment or up-to-date skills, personal advisers have access to an extensive array of training, funding and specialist help to enable long term jobseekers to swap the dole queue for meaningful and sustainable employment.

After hearing from special guest speaker - Sikander Dat from Bolton Metro's Minority Business Service, delegates were free to talk with representatives from the local business support network including Jobcentres, Preston Business Venture, Enterprise plc and Business Link.

Several local Asian businesses expressed an interest in signing-up to New Deal, and have arranged to meet with specialist Jobcentre recruitment advisers to firm up their commitment.

One employer who has wasted no time in putting pen to paper is Kozy Carpets and Soft Furnishings, based in Deepdale.

District Manager for Jobcentres in Lancashire West, Steve Johnson, said: "We were very pleased to co-host this event. We want to encourage local employers - especially those from the Asian community - to realise the potential that New Deal offers.

"Through training and support from personal advisers and other key agencies, New Deal enables local people to develop the skills to compliment the recruitment needs of businesses, both now and in the future."

Steve added: "I am delighted that one Asian employer has already made their commitment to New Deal, and am confident that many more will sign-up as we follow-up their attendance and make contact with them over the coming weeks."

Since its introduction in April 1998, New Deal has helped over 3,500 young people from the North West's ethnic communities into work, nearly 80% of whom have secured sustained employment lasting over three months.

Asian employers who would like to know more about how New Deal could help meet their individual recruitment needs, should contact Karen Peake on 01772 403242.