Newspaper column 17 March 2022 - an update from the Department for Work and Pensions

 

This week I wanted to focus on my recent visit to the Jobcentre in Truro, where we discussed their work in supporting people back to work via the Way to Work scheme.

Way to Work is DWP’s new partnership between job-ready customers and employers to nationally help half a million people back into paid employment by the end of June 2022. This partnership will help employers fill vacancies and job ready people move back to employment.

In Cornwall, employers currently have a vast array of job opportunities, many of which need no previous experience. Dedicated teams of Work Coaches and Employer Advisers offer a tailored approach face-to face to help jobseekers and employers fill vacancies across a broad range of Sectors, including Construction, Social Care, Transport, Logistics, Agriculture, Manufacturing and Hospitality at a time when the Labour Market is incredibly buoyant.

Jobcentre Plus flexible offer includes access to Find A Job, a website for employers to advertise vacancies, Work Trials, Work Experience and Disability Confident helping customers with a health condition progress into employment. Along with the opportunity to interview applicants, matched by DWP, in local Jobcentres and arrange Sector Based Work Provision and skills training.

On Friday 4th March Truro Jobcentre hosted an event for local providers to work with a range of jobseekers offering support and help. Jobcentres across Cornwall are bringing together Employers and Jobseekers daily through interviews and Jobsfairs. They work with Small and Medium Sized Enterprises as well as many of the largest employers across the County including the NHS who offer a multitude of opportunities for all.

The rurality of Cornwall often presents many barriers for local jobseekers but DWPs Flexible Support Fund provides an opportunity for local people to overcome issues, such as transport, and support to find sustainable employment. Following the global pandemic, home working employment opportunities have increased bringing work directly from other parts of the country into peoples’ homes, further helping the Cornish economy, providing opportunities to develop skills, careers and financial independence.

The recent Kickstart Scheme supported nationally over 130,000 young people commence placements with employers to develop new skills and find work to create positive and lasting social change.

Whether you’re a Jobseeker finding your way back into work or an employer who’s looking for a way to recruit the right person to help your business, Jobcentre Plus and Way to Work can help.

It was great to see the team at the Truro Jobcentre office in action and I would certainly encourage anyone with questions about how they can help, employer or employee, to get in touch with them direct to find out more.

As ever, if you need my assistance with anything then my team and I are here to help. Please get in touch with me by email at Cherilyn.mackrory.mp@parliament.uk , or by telephone on 01872 229698. My regular constituency advice surgeries are held in a covid-safe environment at my office, so please do get in touch should you wish to meet me about any matters that I can be of assistance with.