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Ministerial visit marks phenomenal success of Workplace

May 12, 2008

Groundbreaking employment scheme Workplace celebrated the success of its first year. Employment Minister Stephen Timms joined Mayor Sir Robin Wales in congratulating staff and people who have been supported into employment or training courses.

The flagship project is a free customised recruitment and training service to help job seekers and businesses benefit from growing opportunities in the borough, including the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Workplace works with partners including Jobcentre Plus to deliver high quality recruitment advice and training to local people wishing to improve existing skills, develop new ones and secure employment. The tailored service combines careers advice and free training courses to provide potential employees with the tools to secure jobs.

Large or small businesses can advertise their vacancies with Workplace free of charge, and benefit from recruiting a pool of professional, trained work ready staff.

Since its inception a year ago, it has supported more than 600 people into work and 800 people have taken part in training courses. These numbers far outshine similar schemes in boroughs across London, which have been in operation for almost ten years.

Sir Robin Wales said: "Workplace has gone from strength to strength since it opened. With increasing numbers of jobs being created from the major regeneration projects in the borough: the Olympic Games, Stratford City, Canning Town and Silvertown Quays, Workplace is ensuring people in Newham reap the benefits by helping them every step of the way.

"Employment is a major priority for us. I firmly believe that if we are to make a real and lasting improvement in Newham it will be on the back of more people finding work and better paid work. That's why I think Workplace and related projects are so important and why I want to invest more into them."

Stephen Timms said; "Workplace has really made a difference in Newham. It is a fine example of Jobcentre Plus working with a local authority to get people back into work and this partnership continues to flourish as Workplace is due to open a second office soon."
Workplace is based at Boardman House in Broadway, Stratford. A second Workplace is due to open in Canning Town in the Summer.

Employers and individuals who would like more information or to book an appointment can call 020 8430 4331 or visit the Workplace website www.newhamworkplace.co.uk

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