Jobs Hub Open and Already Getting Results

Yesterday I was at the new Jobs Hub on Greyfriars for its official opening. The Jobs Hub is an innovative project, which we believe is the first centre of its kind in the country, to help people into work, training or enterprise. Its town centre location, open-door drop-in approach and unique capacity to link people with the services or support they need is designed to make a real difference for residents during these difficult economic times.

In its opening weeks, the Jobs Hub has assisted over 1200 people, delivered a series of workshops and has already helped a number of people into new jobs and apprenticeships. A number of those people were in attendance yesterday, and it was great to talk to them about the new opportunities before them and the support they were receiving (as I was doing when this grainy photo was taken!)

The Jobs Hub has helped local residents secure jobs and training with major employers including De Vere Hotels and Waitrose. It hosts weekly workshops and has an events programme in place for the rest of the year, including a Jobs Fair in the Harpur Suite on 18 September.

This is a genuine partnership project, supported by the Bedford Borough Partnership Board, which I co-chair, and Job Centre Plus, and I hope it will go on to be an example of what can be achieved with real commitment to deliver for residents amongst partners. The Jobs Hub staff have done a tremendous job in hitting the ground running and are already showing the positive impact the hub can have.

Some of the services on offer at the Jobs Hub include:

• Internet access for job searching and help to complete online application forms

• Individual help with CVs, job applications and interview

• Access to job vacancies, including apprenticeships
• Advice about education and training options
• Business start-up workshops and enterprise coaching
• Appointments with the National Careers Service - including a bilingual service
• Access to training - accredited and non-accredited
• Help with volunteering, mentoring and work experience opportunities
• Linking to other services to help with specific issues, such as redundancy, housing, health, benefit or debt advice

The opening times of the Jobs Hub are 9.30am-4.30pm Monday to Friday, with no need to make an appointment.

For further information abut the Jobs Hub, contact 01234 223510, email thejobshub@bedford.gov.uk or visit www.bedfordjobshub.co.uk