Out of work Cambridgeshire people have been urged to use a temporary Christmas job to “give their career aspirations a kick start”. The advice comes from Julia Nix, district manager for East Anglia Jobcentre Plus.
She said: “We are hosting a full range of activity, including jobs fairs, with a focus on the employers with live vacancies.
“Jobcentres have a wrap around service as customers with health issues can also access specialist support through a Disability Employment Adviser.
“Now is a great time for jobseekers to give their career aspirations a kick-start.
“One way is to apply for some of the hundreds of Christmas jobs being advertised locally, as a stepping- stone to get back into the work routine, while developing new skills and sharpening existing ones.
“With the support of their work coach jobseekers can get the help they need to take full advantage of opportunities available now.”
She added: “Unlocking the skills and abilities of people can improve employment prospects.
“Support is available to everyone, whatever their age, health condition or if they’re just looking to improve their career prospects.
“Importantly job seeking parents on Universal Credit, can now get extra financial help through increased childcare payments.”
Ms Nix said: “Locally we are working hard with employers to fill their vacancies, such as Suncrop Eco-Pak Ltd and Nestle.”
Job Centre Plus has released its monthly breakdown of employment figures and opportunities to either get a job, switch jobs, or find suitable training.
East of England
The number of people employed is at 3.147 million – up 7,000 on the quarter and down 16,000 on the year.
The employment rate (aged 16-64) is at 78.1%, flat at 0.0%pts on the quarter and down 1.0%pts on the year.
The number of people unemployed is at 148,000 – up 2,000 on the quarter and up 58,000 on the year.
The unemployment rate is at 4.5%, up 0.1%pts on the quarter and up 1.7%pts on the year.
The number of people in workless households has fallen since April to June 2010 by 100,000.
Jobcentre work coaches are working hard to help employers fill their vacancies and support people, whatever their situation, into those jobs.
This week’s employment statistics highlight the work being done by Work Coaches across Cambridge, Ely and Wisbech.
A particular success is that out of the 32% of people who have returned to work 21% are from the 50 Plus age group.
Job Vacancies:
In Cambridge we have vacancies with Premier Education, an Agency recruiting for a number of roles including sports coaches, dance teachers and children’s play workers.
We are supporting NIC Group to promote their vacancies for supermarket early morning Cleaners in several locations across Cambridge and Pilgrims Foods, recruiting factory operatives for their food production site.
In Wisbech, Nestle apprenticeships for 2024 are now open. Closing date for applications is 29th February 2024. Wisbech apprenticeships – Technical Operator and Engineer.
HMP Whitemoor, in March are recruiting Prison Officers, and MENCAP require Support Workers for Broad Oaks, March who work with people who have a learning disability to live as independently as possible in their own homes and in the community.
At Ely Jobcentre, we are supporting Suncrop Eco-Pak Ltd for their variety of Warehouse/Factory Operatives in the Chatteris, Cambridgeshire area.
They will attend Ely Jobcentre ‘National Older Workers Week’ on 22nd November. More people – Burgess Farm, Bowella Recruit Ltd and Staffline are also recruiting.
In Peterborough, Amazon DPE2, Kwik Fit and Helping Hands Care are recruiting.
In Huntingdon, North West Anglia NHS Foundation Trust are hosting an Open Day for Healthcare Assistants at Hinchingbrooke Hospital on 1st December.
Manpower are recruiting for Parcel Delivery Drivers, temp until Christmas 2023 working in the Huntingdon area.
Jobs fairs – we are working closely with employers and are pleased to be hosting a Jobs fair in Cambridge on Tuesday 28th November from 10am to 1pm at Cambridge Jobcentre. A sector specific Jobs Fair with a focus for the Health & Care sector with Care Companies, NHS Trusts, and other related organisations.
On 20th and 24th November Ely Jobcentre will be hosting ‘National Older Workers Week’ with attendance of Cambridgeshire Skills, CAMMS ‘Meals on Wheels’, Age U.K, Suncrop Eco-Pak Ltd, Form The Future, Runway Training and Richmond Fellowship.
Jobs fairs – Our next Jobfair will be on the 14th of December and will primarily be aimed at 50+ friendly employers to allow our 50+ team to direct more of their customers in a positive direction or into work.
The Sector-based Work Academy Programme (SWAP) is to help people who are ready to start a job and need support to learn the skills and behaviours that employers in particular industries look for.
Placements are designed to help claimants build confidence to improve their job prospects and enhance their CV, whilst helping employers in sectors with current local vacancies to fill them. We currently have the following opportunities and more to follow:
Cambridge: SWAPs is Education, Civil Service, NHS, University of Cambridge, and Construction.
Wisbech are running SWAPs in Construction and Education.
Ely Jobcentre is offering SWAPs in Warehouse/Factory Operatives and Winning Ways to Work
Peterborough have SWAPs available in Construction, Education, Security, and the Civil Service.
Things coming up:
In Peterborough, the Disability Employment Advisory team will be running a wellbeing event in the Town Hall on the 25th of January with a host of wellbeing providers in attendance.
This will be for those with health conditions either physical or mental. Details will be released once confirmed.
Huntingdon JCP is organising a Discover Training and Support Event on the 7th of December from 9.30 am to 12 pm at the Civic Suite which is at the same site as the Jobcentre.
Training providers and support organisations attending. Event will be open only to Work Coaches from 9.30 am to 10 am and then to customers from 10 am.
Twitter account: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/dwp-registered-twitter-accounts/dwp-official-twitter-accounts;
https://twitter.com/JCPInCambs
Our Job Help website is a good place to start when looking for work – Head to https://gov.uk/jobhelp to find your next new role.
- The site will point you to who’s hiring now
- You can also find hints and tips on applying for jobs if you haven’t done so for a while
- And you can get some support to think about moving sectors
