Stourbridge College linked arms with Jobcentre Plus recently by putting together an exciting local jobs event for young, unemployed people to help them prepare for work or find a job. The free Love a Job recruitment event was held at The Copthorne Hotel, Brierley Hill.
Kim Babb, Executive Director for Business Skills, the employer training arm of Stourbridge College, said: “Jobcentre Plus representatives personally invited young, unemployed people aged between 16 and 24 to our joint event so that we could help and advise them on finding work. As one of the region’s best performing colleges we have a wide variety of courses and training available and have really strong links with local businesses which we can utilise to match unemployed people with vacancies that are available.”
Pauline Jones, Account Manager, Jobcentre Plus Black Country District Office, said: “Government statistics have shown this year that the number of Job Seekers Allowance claimants in this age group has risen in the Black Country meaning that one in ten young people are unemployed. We personally invited young, unemployed people on our books, through their local Jobcentres, to come along to this free event to see if there was anything we could do to match future employees with employers and get people into work.”
Nearly 600 people attended with particular interest in apprenticeships being expressed. Further open days and events are being held to offer support.