A RECRUITMENT drive is being held for the new Bolton Amazon warehouse that will open later this year.

The distribution centre at Logistics North in Over Hulton has created 1,200 new jobs and Jobcentre Plus has announced it is keen to fill as many as possible from within the town.

Penny Applegate, partnership manager at Bolton Jobcentre Plus, said: “We want to promote Amazon recruitment. They have 1,200 jobs there, it’s really a massive recruitment opportunity.

“The main recruitment is online and we are supporting people who we work with. Anyone who is unemployed, go to your advisor and they can get you additional support just to help you get through the recruitment process.

“If you are rejected you cannot re-apply.”

Successful applicants to Amazon will receive employee benefits including private medical insurance and an employee discount.

The distribution, or fulfilment centre is one of 16 across the UK and earlier this month Amazon announced its UK workforce will be 27,500 by the end of the year as the company invests in new innovations.

Half of all the distribution centres’ stock is held on behalf of independent businesses, which use Amazon to supply to their customers. Amazon also offers workers a programme called Career Choice to help pay for adult education.

Stefano Perego, Amazon’s director of UK customer fulfilment, said: “Our ability to expand in the North West of England is the result of two things: incredible customers and an outstanding workforce. We are thrilled to begin recruitment for new permanent roles in Bolton.”

An Amazon spokesman told The Bolton News an announcement about the distribution centre would be made in the next two weeks. The Logistics North centre is part of the multi-million pound employment hub, which includes almost 300,000 sq ft of business space.