Zarah ChoudharyMinisters have encouraged businesses to work with Jobcentres to fill the thousands of jobs currently vacant.
Work and Pensions Secretary Liz Kendall visited B&M, a retailer that seen success using the Jobcentre network.
B&M has filled almost 3,000 vacancies through the Jobcentre network, with more than 85% of new recruits coming directly through the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP).
The DWP is looking to reset engagement with employers by creating new teams to support employers, with dedicated account managers and a focus on growing the number of Jobcentre training programmes tailored to employer’s needs.
As B&M has opened new stores across the country, it has teamed up with the local DWP team to run information sessions – offering interested candidates a guaranteed interview.
More than 73,000 jobs have been added to the labour market since the start of this Parliament according to the Office for National Statistics (ONS), with the Chancellor expected to bring in new measures to add thousands more roles, including more than 100,000 jobs in the local area around Heathrow.
However, new figures showed only one in six employers surveyed reported using the Jobcentre Plus network to hire for their business.
As part of the ‘Get Britain Working’ plan, the Government will reform Jobcentres by bringing it together with the National Careers Service to ensure people have better access to training and address local skills gaps and help train the workforce businesses need.
Kendall said: “To get Britain growing again, we need to get Britain working again.
“As the HR department for the Government’s growth mission, our job is to work with businesses to meet their recruitment needs.
“To help employers grow, hire new staff, and boost opportunity in every corner of the country, we are determined to change our approach
“As part of reforming Jobcentres we will overhaul our service to better meet employer’s needs – turning the DWP into a genuine public employment service.
“So businesses can fill jobs and people can build a better life for themselves and their families.”
A spokesperson at B&M said: “There is a wealth of talent and experience in Jobcentres across the UK.
“We encourage other businesses to get in touch with their local Jobcentre and discover the talent that’s available in their community.
“The new dedicated team set up to support businesses of all sizes across the country with their recruitment needs has already added 37 new employers to the department’s roster in recent weeks, with notable names including Home Bargains, KFC and Swissport.
“In a letter to CEOs from 10 of the UK’s top businesses, DWP ministers said that at a time when recruitment can be a major cost, the DWP provides a service to help businesses grow and support people into work.”
To help other businesses replicate B&M’s success, the DWP is transforming its service for employers by hosting summits with business leaders and stakeholder representatives from sectors crucial to growth – such as construction, social care, and clean energy – over the next three months.
It is also increasing the number of training programmes available at Jobcentres in these sectors to upskill jobseekers and provide employers with work-ready staff.
A dedicated team of experts will support employers with recruitment, including designing tailored campaigns to address large-scale vacancies.
Additionally, employers will have access to an account manager who can provide information about how Jobcentre Plus can support their recruitment needs.
This was followed by feedback from businesses requesting a single, established point of contact.
Finally, the department commissioned Sir Charlie Mayfield to lead an independent review into the role of employers in reducing health-related inactivity and promoting healthy, inclusive workplaces – an initiative that is already underway
