GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) has opened an employee support centre at its Crawley manufacturing site to give guidance to the 529 staff who will be made redundant when the site closes at the end of 2011.

At the centre, opened in January by the site's own human resources team, staff can access a range of services, including one-to-one career advice sessions which cover topics such as CV writing and interview skills.

Some employees will also be given grants to upgrade their skills or to retrain for a new career. Job Centre representatives will come onsite to offer advice; AWD Chase de Vere and Origen will provide financial advice; and Lifeworks will offer confidential guidance to employees on a range of personal problems.

Employees will also be given presentations about GSK's retired staff association, for which they will still qualify for membership even if they no longer work for the organisation.

Sue Taylor, manager of retirement services for GSK's central reward team, said: "It is increasingly important in the current outside job market for GSK to offer this support.

"We also want employees to be as well equipped as possible so that they leave the company with a positive image of GSK."