Support event for jobseekers and local job opportunities

The Rochdale Jobcentre is holding a support event later this month to help more people into work.

‘Supporting You’ is designed for those who may need a helping hand getting into work and will take place at the Fleece Street Jobcentre between 11am and 2pm on 27 September.

Locally as of August, there are 8,045 people in the Rochdale borough who are claiming Jobseekers' Allowance, or who are searching for work on Universal Credit. This is 2% less than the same time last year.

On a wider level, the employment rate in the north west (aged 16-64) is at 73.6%, a drop of 1.7% on the quarter and down by 0.4% on the year.

Since 2010, the overall number of people in work has increased by over 3.8m while unemployment has fallen by more than a million over the same period

The ‘Supporting You’ event will have providers there that support with:

• Health conditions and disabilities (including mental health)
• Armed forces/veterans
• Care Experienced Customers
• Domestic abuse
• Drug/alcohol dependency
• Homelessness or at risk of homelessness
• Prison leavers

Molly Brown, DWP local partnership manager, said: “In March we hosted a successful ‘Supporting You’ event and are pleased to announce that we will be holding another this month with over 20 local providers attending.

“The aim of this event is to help customers with health conditions/disabilities and other needs to find the correct support to enable them to move closer to and into the labour market.”

She added: “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 skills and abilities, while identifying barriers to starting, or progressing in the 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.”

Additionally, the DWP is recruiting up to 60 Jobcentre Work Coaches across the Greater Manchester area, including in the Rochdale borough.

Work Coaches help individuals and their families find work and enable them to claim the support they need as they progress. They work with jobseekers, employers and colleagues through a combination of face-to-face, digital and telephone contact on a daily basis.

The Jobcentre also has opportunities with local training providers working in collaboration with employers offering guaranteed job interviews upon course completion, including with New Barn Ltd, Simply Education, Mike Goldrick Blinds, JD Sports, Mantra, Brunch, Everlast Ltd, Heat Sense & PossAbilities.

Sector Based Work Academies are available with Rochdale Healthcare Alliance and Rochdale Training. Roles available at Rochdale Healthcare Alliance (from 26 September) include GP receptionists and healthcare assistants based in the GP practices.

Upon completion of the course, participants will gain either a Level 1 Customer Service or Level 1 Health & Social Care Qualification and a guaranteed interview with the employer.

Successful candidates can then either finish the initial qualification as day release or be swapped over to an apprenticeship qualification.

Rochdale Training is also offering a Sector Based Work Academy for their engineering course. Participants will gain a Level 2 Engineering qualification and will be offered interviews from United Springs, Bradley Manufacturing and Lee Springs. This course starts on the 22 September.

For more information about applying to become a Work Coach with the Jobcentre, please visit:

• https://dwpjobs-eorecruitment-microsite.co.uk/

For more information about the ‘Supporting You’ event, including how to book a place, please visit:

• www.rochdaleonline.co.uk/events/73468/events-in-rochdale/supporting-you

Alternatively, speak to your Work Coach for more details about Sector Based Work Academies or interviewing with any of the employers named.