Mentor scheme helps thousands find work placements claims LEP

A NEW employment initiative in the Greater Birmingham and Solihull Local Enterprise Partnership area has helped create new jobs for thousands of people, it has been claimed.

The GBSLEP and the Department for Work and Pensions have been working together on a Work Coaches initiative, which is aimed at supporting people seeking employment.

The two parties have claimed that the scheme has been so successful that in the space of six months, 8,000 unemployed people have been found work placements.
 
The initiative, which has worked with 70 employers from across the area, was launched last year following the Chancellor’s commitment to invest in 100 new DWP work coaches in Birmingham and Solihull.
 
Andy Street, Chair of the GBSLEP said: “During the last few years, the GBSLEP and its partners have worked hard to put in place initiatives that create the right economic climate to generate the level of confidence and momentum needed to secure long term growth and prosperity in the region.
 
“The local economy has been improving but up until recently the level of unemployment was significantly lower than it should have been considering the number of jobs available.
 
“Our work with the DWP, along with support from the wider business community, has put work coaches in place to offer the platform to provide both practical and emotional support to job seekers, from helping to fill out an application form to guiding people through the interview process and what to expect. It has created the opportunity for many people, who would previously not have had the confidence or ability, to apply for the various roles available on the job market.”

Employers are asked to give a four-week exclusivity period, giving local jobseekers the first shot at filling their vacancies. Employers can also help by offering work experience places for jobseekers to help give people the confidence they need to be successful at interview.

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