Unemployed workers bidding to get a job have been given a helping hand from famous menswear specialists Slaters.

The Glasgow business has kitted out five men from the city’s East End currently on a job-seeking course free of charge after Thenue Housing told it of the work it does with the unemployed.

The kind-hearted company has provided suits, shoes, shirts and ties designed to impress employers when they turn up for an interview.

This week the housing association, which runs the hugely-popular courses aimed at equipping long-term jobless people with the skills needed to pick up work, praised the generosity of Slaters which made an instant decision to help.

Thenue Housing runs the eight-week course known as “Want2Work” which began in March and operates two days a week. It is designed to help people from the East End back into work by offering help on things like interview techniques, CV preparation and how to write job applications.

It is an extension of Thenue’s award-winning and trail-blazing “Learning Works” course and is now in its 11th intake of unemployed people who learn a variety of skills again aimed at getting them jobs. That project is funded by Big Lottery Scotland and regeneration agency Clyde Gateway. It is run in partnership with Glasgow Kelvin College.

However it was soon realised that purchasing proper attire for an interview was understandably beyond the means of those taking part in “Want2Work” and that’s where Slaters stepped in.

Course organiser Tracy Lennon of Thenue Housing said: “Every Glaswegian has heard of Slaters so we phoned up and asked if there was any help we could get. We were astonished and delighted when Slaters said they would love to help.

“It has solved a major problem. Our course can help people with practical advice but looking the part is every bit as important when it comes to an interview and the effort needed to impress an employer. What was even more amazing was when Slaters said they would provide the suits, shirts, ties and shoes absolutely free.

“It is a gesture of extraordinary kindness by Slaters and I know the five men on the course are very grateful for this helping hand.”

Slaters was named Glasgow’s favourite business in 2009 and last year the store celebrated its 40th anniversary at its Howard Street location having grown from a small unit on the 2nd floor to eventually occupying the whole building. Today the business has 23 UK stores with Glasgow as its flagship store.

Managing director Paul Slater said: “We’re delighted to be able to support this initiative by Thenue Housing and assist in maximising the efforts of the men taking the course who want to look their best as they seek new jobs. We wish them the best of luck and every success.”

Lawrence McCabe, community regeneration manager at Thenue Housing, added: “This willingness by Slaters to join us in helping unemployed people find their way back into work is quite exceptional in terms of generosity. Thenue Housing places great emphasis on helping communities where we have our homes and the courses we run to defeat unemployment really are making a difference.”

www.thenuehousing.co.uk

@ThenueHousing