“Norfolk for Jobs” launched to help match people to job vacancies
Over 80 local businesses, public sector employers, voluntary groups, council representatives, and charities attended the launch of “Norfolk for Jobs” at the Jobcentre Plus in King’s Lynn on Friday.
The aim of the “Norfolk for Jobs” programme is to help more people into work and support employers in the Lynn area to fill their vacancies and provide solutions to skills challenges employers face. This will help build a more vibrant labour market for local residents.
Although employment rates in Norfolk are above the national average, youth unemployment is higher. In North West Norfolk there are 330 people aged 18-24 on benefits looking for work. Research by Norfolk Community Foundation and the JobCentre Plus identified various barriers young people cite that are holding them back including a lack of confidence, transport, and the need for more flexible recruitment processes and more support to get ready for interviews and work.
The launch was an opportunity for Jobcentre Plus, partners, and providers to showcase support available to jobseekers giving them access to skills, training, and support services and how they can help employers. The help on offer includes supporting workplace experience, workplace trials, apprenticeships, employability sessions and jobs fairs, or with additional costs when taking on disabled people.
These initiatives will help to build up skills and confidence in young people as well as support people considering a change in career including through the mid-life MOT programme – this scheme offers advice and support to 45-55 year olds in work.
At the launch event, James Wild MP for North West Norfolk; Julia Nix, Department of Work and Pensions Service Leader; Rt Hon Chloe Smith MP for Norwich North; Norfolk County Council Economic Growth Cabinet Member Fabian Eagle; and James Howells of Turning Factor gave keynote speeches. Turning Factor produced a report “Economic barriers to growth” to provide insights to help shape the focus of Norfolk for Jobs.
Speaking after launching the event, James Wild MP said:
“I am very pleased to such enthusiastic support for Norfolk for Jobs as recruiting and retraining staff is one of the key issues local firms raise. Employers, the Jobcentre Plus team, and partners working together can help more people move into jobs giving them the positive benefits work brings. Many firms already work closely with Jobcentre Plus and through this initiative hopefully more will access the support on offer and boost our local economy.”
Julia Nix OBE DL, JobCentre Plus Service Leader for East Anglia said:
“I was delighted to see so many key partners, businesses, voluntary and community sector partners willing to work together for skills, jobs and business growth in the West Norfolk community as we launch our Norfolk for Jobs programme."
The launch of Norfolk for Jobs follows the success of “Norwich for Jobs” led by Rt Hon Chloe Smith MP which helped many young people move into work. At the launch Chloe shared how this model had worked successfully.
The event was sponsored by Working Well Norfolk which helps Norfolk residents living with long-term health conditions to start work and to stay in work.
