Mark visits Jobcentre Plus
19 Aug 2009
Mark visited Preston Jobcentre Plus on Monday 17th August 2009 to meet with Manager Tim Howarth and members of staff and to tour the facilities at Gateway House.
The JobCentre Plus is part of the Government’s Department for Work and Pensions and helps job seekers into employment, supports people who have been long term unemployed to get back into the labour market and work with employers to fulfil their recruitment needs. The 100 strong Preston team deal with 4850 Job Seekers Allowance (JSA) claimants every two weeks along with over 6000 Incapacity Benefit claimants and 1700 Income Support claimants.
Mark discussed the New Deal for Lone Parents, JSA, the Workstep programme, Pathways to Work and the Work Trials which allows employers to ‘try out’ potential employees for 15 days or more before offering a permanent position.
Mark Hendrick MP said: “In the present climate, it is more important than ever for job seekers to be fully equipped with the relevant resources, information and support to move from welfare into employment. The Department for Work and Pensions is dedicated to delivering a productive, efficient and effective service to ensure that benefits are paid correctly, people are given the opportunity to compete effectively in the labour market and employers can expect to fill their vacancies quickly and with the right person.”
He went on to say: “I was interested to hear of the initiatives that the team in Preston have implemented to cope with the changing labour market and particularly the effect the economic situation has had on job opportunities for people with disabilities and the newly unemployed from the higher managerial and highly skilled end of the spectrum.”
Tim Howarth, Manager of the JobCentre Plus in Preston said: “We have twice the number of claimants from this time last year, so it has been a challenge to provide the same high level of service and to ensure that personal one-to-one help and advice is provided to everyone who needs it. We work hard with our partner organisations, employers in the area and training providers to assist as many people as possible into secure paid employment.”
It is estimated that 4.6% of the working age population of Preston is claiming Jobseekers Allowance.
If you would like to obtain further information about getting help and advice from the JobCentre Plus, or to enquire about job vacancies please ring 0845 60 60 234 or go to www.jobcentreplus.gsi.gov.uk.