Perfect partners provide perfect solutions

Sep 23 2008 by The Journal

LOCAL Employment Partnerships (LEPs) are initiatives between Jobcentre Plus (JCP), their  partners and employers in the North East which help local people back into work and to fill vacancies with previously untapped pools of talent.

Dave Peebles, JCP district manager, says: "Under LEPs, Jobcentre Plus will provide a named local contact responsible for developing the right recruitment solutions for an employer. They will draw on expertise from a range of skills partners to provide the best system of pre- and postrecruitment activity to ensure that opportunities are opened up to a rich mix of talents."

The North East needs a skilled workforce at every level if it is to succeed in the national economy, but increasingly, employers are finding it difficult to recruit the right staff locally which is ready, willing and able to work. That’s where JCP can help.

"We will simplify the process, providing a win-win solution for employers and jobseekers alike," says Dave.

Jobs Centre Plus is teaming up with their partners and employers to provide LEPs to give employers a skilled workforce and get those previously overlooked by recruiters back into work.

More than 1,000 North East employers have made a commitment to be involved with LEPs, among them big names such as Asda. Asda stores across the region, JCP and Working Links have now agreed a bespoke recruitment service, tailored specifically to the supermarket giant’s needs.

This includes pre-employment training for the skills required for the Asda "magic recruitment sessions".

Asda People Manager, Kate McCabe who is responsible for recruitment in all stores across the North East, said: "Asda is delighted to support Jobcentre Plus through the Local Employer Partnership. We have done this by attending the local jobs fairs and working with the community to train and recruit local people."

Susan and Gillian from County Durham are now benefiting from the help and support they received from their personal advisers to get new jobs as an Asda waste and claims handler and as a retail assistant. These are two of the many people who have received an additional £40 a week in work credit through the support of Pathways to Work, a dedicated service to help people move from incapacity benefit back to work.

Gillian says: "It’s a great opportunity to work at Asda. I’m really impressed with the partnership making it easier for me to start work. I would recommend anyone interested in working for Asda to contact their local Jobcentre Plus office."

Susan says: "My adviser was fantastic and was always there for me. She helped lift my spirits and put me in touch with lots of people until I got this great job at Asda."

To explore the way that LEPs could work for you, contact Jobcentre Plus on lep.eng.@jobcentreplus.gsi.gov.uk, or call Local Employment Partnership manager Dorothy Bowmaker (01642) 419723.