17 Jan 2001
A recruitment centre in Edinburgh that has already found work for 300 people is typical of the innovative approach being taken by the Government to tackle unemployment, Scottish Secretary John Reid said today.
Mr Reid was visiting Leith’s Ocean Terminal development with Employment Minister Tessa Jowell. Speaking after the Ministers met Thomas Nichol, the 300thperson to find a job through the Employment Service’s onsite office at the development site, Mr Reid said:
"The Government is working closely with the Employment Service to deliver the New Deal and to develop new solutions for those needing jobs. This onsite recruitment centre is a prime example of this approach. By matching jobseekers’ skills with available vacancies, it provides a convenient service that helps both employers and those looking for work.
"The Ocean Terminal development is providing a very welcome jobs boost for Leith, and I am pleased that many of those working on the construction stage have been recruited locally.
"Thomas Nichol is a Leither who has proved the success of the New Deal’s personalised approach. He joined New Deal 50+ last year after being made redundant. His New Deal Personal Adviser not only found him a suitable job but also helped him update his training so that he could continue his career as a welder.
"Across Scotland there are thousands of people like Thomas – who had either resigned themselves to never working again, or who had never started work. Through our New Deal for 18-24 year olds and the New Deal 50+ we are helping unemployed people start, or restart, their working lives with confidence."
Employment Minister Tessa Jowell said:
"New Deal is about finding individual solutions to individual employment problems and at the Ocean Terminal Development we can see an excellent example of this. By matching the needs of the employer with the skills of the employee we can make a long-term impact on unemployment.
"We have already made a great deal of progress and were able to announce in November that, through New Deal, over 250,00 young people were off benefit and into work.
"New Deal is also about maximising the potential of all members of the community. Thomas Nichol’s success in updating his skills and finding a job is a testament to the value that the over 50s can bring to the workplace. We have acknowledged this through New Deal 50 plus which aims to provide support and advice to the over 50s who want to return to work."
NOTES FOR NEWS EDITORS
1. The Waterfront Recruitment Centre is a satellite office of Leith Jobcentre, and is situated within the construction site office for the Ocean Terminal development.
2. Mr Reid joined Employment Minister Tessa Jowell at the visit, who is in Scotland as part of a nationwide consultation with the Employment Service, employers and training providers regarding the future of the Government’s New Deal for young people.
3. Media can obtain further details about Tom Nichols and the Waterfront Recruitment Centre can be obtained from the Employment Service press office on 0141 419 0777.
4. The Ocean Terminal Shopping Centre is set to open in October 2001, with 70 new shops, restaurants and a cinema. The waterfront development will also include office space, apartments and a casino.