Skilled workforce means 300 new public sector jobs for Leeds

AROUND 300 new jobs are to created in Leeds following confimation that the newly created Child Maintenance and Enforcement Commission (CMEC) is to he headquartered in the city.

Recruitment company Hays said it was currently working on filling the vacancies and that CMEC staff will play a leading role in developing and introducing an entirely new statutory maintenance scheme.

The available jobs include administrative and professional roles information technology, human resources and financial management.

The commission assumed control of the Child Support Agency (CSA) and its workforce of 9,000 from the Department for Work and Pensions in November last year.

It is also responsible for promoting financial responsibility for children and providing the new child maintenance options information and support service for separated parents.

Steve Morris, a director at Hays, said: “This is excellent news for the local region. The openings are providing opportunities for a number of professionals in Leeds, which is a great boost for the city in the current downturn.

“Hays is working closely with CMEC to meet their recruitment needs. These professionals undertake a specialist job and it helps that we understand the market, have a comprehensive knowledge of the employer and know how to track down the best people for the roles.”

According to CMEC chairman Janet Paraskeva, Leeds was chosen because of the high level of relevant skills in the West Yorkshire workforce – especially in the financial services.

“We are ultimately a financial organisation, albeit one that delivers public services in response to a very human issue,” she said.

“Currently less than 50% of children in separated families benefit from effective maintenance arrangements, whether through the statutory service provided by the CSA or private maintenance arrangements.

“The commission’s goal is to significantly increase that percentage and to help us we are seeking to recruit the best and brightest people from the Leeds area.”