Employers swift to act on Purnell's offer of recruitment subsidies
Nestor Healthcare Group, the Royal Mail, Poundland and Dunelm Mill are just
a few of the 142 national companies working with Jobcentre Plus to discuss
take up of the Government's recruitment subsidy, which will help unemployed
people of six months or more into employment.
The pioneering programme, which went live only last week, is already
proving a hit with employers large and small, and gives businesses access
to a recruitment subsidy of £1000 and training typically worth £1500 if they
take on jobseekers who have been unemployed for six months or more.
Tomorrow (16 April) James Purnell, Secretary of State for Work and Pensions,
will visit Kidd's Distribution in Paisley, one of the employers taking up
a recruitment subsidy.
Speaking ahead of his visit, James Purnell said:
"Employers have been swift to link-up with Jobcentre Plus to discuss how
they might take up this offer.
"The economic downturn is making it hard for many employers to plan for their
future employment needs. We are very pleased to be able to offer a package
of support which will not only help employers fill their vacancies, but will
also help jobseekers find sustainable work so it's a win-win situation."
Orla O'Connor, Head of Recruitment and Retention at Nestor Healthcare Group,
said:
"We look forward to working in partnership with Jobcentre Plus through the
recruitment subsidy scheme. We'll be launching this in all our branches -
around 100 - and will encourage all our managers to advertise recruitment in
Jobcentres if they haven't already done so. We are actively seeking care
workers and branch staff across all areas of the UK given the successful
growth in our business."
Maurice Harbottle, Head of Recruitment Services at Royal Mail, said:
"Royal Mail already enjoys a great working relationship with Jobcentre
Plus. Giving our support to the recruitment subsidy scheme is just a logical
extension of that work.
"With Jobcent