METROLINK'S new central platform, located between Debenhams and Lewis's, at the top of Market Street is a double bonus for the new city centre.

The £400,000 stop will improve the street and, by freeing up pavement space will make it easier for pedestrians. The work also provides an opportunity for unemployed Manchester people who have been through training courses funded by the Manchester Construction Partnership.

The initiative, called Towards 2000 Together, is a partnership between the Manchester Training and Enterprise Council, Manchester City Council and the Employment Service.

The scheme's aim is to provide local labour to construction contractors. Some are skilled and unemployed while others have been through the training programme which enables them to secure a job in construction.

If anyone would like more information about the scheme, either as a construction employer or as a unemployed person looking for new opportunities, contact John Garner or Joanne Benson at Manchester TEC on 0161 245 4922 or 0161 245 4766.

Laing's, who are heavily involved in rebuilding the city centre, have offered employment to a number of Towards 2000 trainees.