Jobcentre Plus

Benefit claimants are being given priority for jobs at a new supermarket in Alnwick through a ground-breaking government employment agreement.

Around 15 jobs at the new Sainsbury’s store have been earmarked for lone parents, people with a disability or health condition and the long-term unemployed, as part of a Local Employment Partnership (LEP) signed by the supermarket chain.

This ‘jobs pledge’ by Sainsbury’s comes in return for additional support from Jobcentre Plus, which is helping to fill a total of 120 vacancies at the store ahead of it opening in March 2008. Long-term benefit claimants are being invited to take part in a free training course, run by Alnwick Jobcentre with specialists InBiz, to prepare them for the jobs on offer, and provide them with information on moving into work and the financial support available.

Fred Foster, district manager for Jobcentre Plus said: “This is a fantastic opportunity for jobseekers in Alnwick. Our advisers are working closely with Sainsbury’s to ensure we can prepare these people as fully as possible before their interviews and give them a real chance to get back into work.”

Michael Bell, personnel manager for Sainsbury’s added: “We feel that Alnwick and the local community will benefit from this new development before the store even opens. We are delighted to work with Jobcentre Plus in guaranteeing interviews to some of those people who need that extra help to get back into work. We hope they become happy and committed employees of Sainsbury’s.”

More information about these vacancies and others is available through Jobpoints in Jobcentre Plus offices, by calling Jobseeker Direct on 0845 60 60 234, or by visiting the job search page on this website.