North East HR firms host jobs event for Thomas Cook staff

Businesses from across the North East are coming together for an event at Newcastle College to support people who have been affected by the collapse of Thomas Cook.

Connect Health, the North East CIPD and other businesses will be in attendance, offering support sessions to help former Thomas Cook staff work out how to find new jobs and career pathways in the region.

A number of Thomas Cook’s 9000 staff were based in retail outlets across the North East and Newcastle College are encouraging any who have lost their jobs to attend the event.

One of those who will be attending the event is Kelly Ates, who spent 27 years with the company, most recently as deputy manager of the Gateshead branch.

She said: “We’re all obviously heartbroken that it has come to this and I’ll miss the team so much. We put so much into our jobs because we loved it at Thomas Cook.

“This event is a great gesture by the local HR community, and I know people will get a lot from it.”

The event will be held at Newcastle College’s Rye Hill Campus tomorrow (October 3) from 10.00 to 14.00.

Lisa Davidson, chief people officer of Connect Health, added: “I came up with the idea of an employability event after hearing that a friend of mine had lost her job.

“People feel hugely let down and as I was acutely aware of the excellent HR support we have in the North East region; I went on to galvanise people’s enthusiasm by putting on this pop-up event.

“I truly hope it goes some way to ease the challenges faced and provides some great practical support.”