Inverness Jobcentre seeks to make a difference
Inverness Jobcentre has been running a series of workshops and programmes to encourage people to get into work.
The work coaches at the centre have recently held a jobs fair partnership with Skills Development Scotland and Highland Council, with 46 clients attending and 16 interviews being offered on the day. Employers in attendance were Travelodge, Brook Street, Centred, Yo! Sushi, Highland Council, Kingsmills Group and Stagecoach.
Ann Dowd, employer and partnership manager from Inverness Jobcentre said: “Improving jobseeker prospects will help to achieve the government’s priority to grow the economy. Work Coaches are playing a crucial role to support jobseekers develop their full potential by encouraging them to review their skill and abilities, while identifying barriers to starting, or progressing in world of work.
“Importantly, specialist support is available for those aged 50 Plus, or with a health condition, so they remain connected with opportunities, and for parents on Universal Credit, there are now increased childcare payments.”
The work coaches also held an event at Inverness Prison, with employers attending to give an overview of their various sectors, what their companies do and what they look for in employees.
In attendance were Robertsons, Barnardo’s and Balfour Beattie. In the afternoon, a variety of partners attended with discussions taking place between groups of customers arriving to look at the information on display and talk to the organisations about support.
Ms Dowd added: "Feedback from prison staff, employers and partners was that they felt this was worthwhile dispelling the myth that no one will employ or give support to ex-offenders."
A 50+ Jobsfair is in the planning for October 25.
As of May 2023 were 11,099 claimants of Universal Credit not in work across the Highlands and 7,442 in work claiming Universal Credit across the Highlands.
