Job Hunters Flock to First Autism Centre Recruitment InitiativeRush For Jobs at New Centre by Craig Nisbet

More than 100 job hunters attended the first recruitment day at North Ayrshire's revolutionary new centre which aims to bring new hope to people stricken by a form of autism. Eventually, at least 150 people will be employed at Moorpark Place in a unique base helping people with autistic spectrum disorders or Asperger's Syndrome. Moorpark Kilbirnie Ltd plan to open their ground breaking facility in March. It will be a community style complex where people can be encouraged to achieve their full potential through education, supported employment, outdoor activities, social events and other motivating programmes, say the company.

Wednesday's event was organised by Jobcentre Plus, and applications were due to close today (Friday. 19 December). Successful candidates will be in training from January.The development of the former Moorpark House in Kilbirnie as a centre for autistic adults is already yielding economic benefits for the area, MP Brian Wilson said this week. After a visit to view progress on the project, Mr Wilson urged "maximum integration" between the new centre and the local community. Moorpark will accommodate up to 51 clients at a time, living in a village which is currently being built within the grounds. Mr Wilson told The Herald: "This is a fantastic project for Kilbirnie and it is going to help transform the employment situation. There will be up to a couple of hundred jobs, within a relatively short space of time, covering the whole range of skills and experience." More than 20 local people are already being employed in the manufacture of units for use in construction of the village. "This is, in itself, a significant employment opportunity," said Mr Wilson. "A unit in Paddockholm Industrial Estate has been opened for the purpose and, if other contracts can be found, there is no reason why this should not become the Scottish manufacturing centre for this building system," Mr Wilson said that the joint managing directors of the venture, Alan Donoughue and Graham Conrathe, have been brought together by the Autism Society from different backgrounds, but each with an interest in creating facilities for people with autism.

Restored

"They see the Moorpark complex as ideal for the purpose and they want to maximise both local employment and integration with the local community," said Mr Wilson, who encouraged the company's interest in the Moorpark site. "The buildings which were previously used for training purposes by North Ayrshire Council have been restored and the whole project is going ahead very well. "They are also getting a high level of interest in placements from local authorities and health boards. There is a desperate need for this kind of facility." Another unexpected spin off has already emerged from the development. Mr Donoughue and Mr Conrathe were surprised to find how little hotel and restaurant provision there was in the Garnock Valley and have now acquired a site in Beith which is the subject of a planning application. Mr Wilson said: "Two very go ahead people, with a bit of money behind them and a real interest in development opportunities, have been introduced to the area and I am sure that the Moorpark initiative can be followed by other useful projects." Quality 

Speaking about Wednesday's recruitment drive, Alistair Matheson, registered manager for Moorpark Kilbirnie Ltd, said: "This was a hugely successful day with the number attending far exceeding our expectations. The quality of the applicants is very encouraging and we intend to repeat this event next year for the next phase of our development. "I would like to sincerely thank Jobcentre Plus team for their involvement. Without them the day would not have happened or been such a success." Audrey Galbraith, marketing officer at Kilbirnie Jobcentre, said: "This is one of the biggest recruitment drives in Kilbirnie for many years and we are delighted to be assisting."