New service launched to help unemployed

A new service is being launched by Bristol City Council to help local employers with their recruitment or training of the unemployed in the city.

One of the key roles of the Ways2Work service will be to assist businesses to recruit from those looking for work in their immediate local area.

This new service will be delivered by a partnership of the City Council, Jobcentre Plus, City of Bristol College and local providers. It will:

· Provide a single point to guide employers through the maze of support available
· Help businesses to recruit local job-ready people
· If the business is not in a position to recruit, and it wants to do something positive in their local area, the team will assist to arrange work experience placements or similar actions to make a difference.

Council Leader Simon Cook will launch the new service on Thursday (19th July) at an event at the law firm DAC Beachcroft at Portwall Place.

Simon Cook said: "We are determined to do all we can in the current economic climate to work with and support local businesses with their recruitment and training.

“Often the challenge is matching employers with those looking for work in their local area. Avonmouth is a good example where currently there are some significant job opportunities and we’re keen to ensure that those who are unemployed in that immediate area are making the most of these jobs on offer.

“This is where this new service can make a difference by using the council’s local knowledge to work with companies looking to recruit.”

If businesses would like details of the new service they can e-mail W2Wemployerservices@bristol.gov.uk or telephone 0117 9222719.

Also on Thursday the council will be holding a special scrutiny session looking at jobs and the economy. Experts from a range of organisations such as City of Bristol College, the Local Enterprise Partnership, Job Centre Plus and the Young People's Select Committee will give evidence on their efforts to help the unemployed into work and training.

Scrutiny Commission Chair, Cllr Mark Bradshaw, said: “The overall jobs picture is very challenging and we want to help the Council and its partners use their resources most effectively to help create jobs and support unemployed people into work.  A lot of initiatives are already in train and have been successful, but we need to ensure that everything is being done to co-ordinate what is already taking place.”

The Scrutiny sessions follow an Inquiry Day on Encouraging Aspiration: Creating Opportunity that was held on the 20th March attended by more than 50 delegates including councillors, young people, partner organisations, council officers and key stakeholders.

For more information on Thursday’s Scrutiny meeting please see https://www.bristol.gov.uk/committee/2012/sc/agenda/0719_1730_sc024.html

The session starts at 6pm and will be webcast - http://www.bristol.public-i.tv/core/