E-commerce giant Amazon is looking to recruit 700 people across its Liverpool city region operations with the help of local Jobcentres. Tony McDonough reports
Jobcentres across Liverpool city region are looking to help e-commerce giant Amazon recruit 700 extra staff.
Amazon has multiple operations in and around Merseyside including giant fulfilment warehouses and a network of delivery people. It is one of a number of employers working with the Department for Work and Pensions via Jobcentre Plus to recruit more staff.
Linda Usher, Merseyside senior operational lead for the DWP, said: “As we come to the end of a hot summer, with many job vacancies still available, Jobcentres are focused on helping employers get the people they and the economy need.
“Using the flexibilities that Universal Credit provides our Work Coaches are more equipped than ever to help jobseekers get back into work quickly.
“Jobcentres continues to host local businesses, including Amazon, who are looking to recruit more than 700 people in Merseyside and Adecco who have a rolling programme of vacancies.”
And a sector-based work academy (SWAP) organised by Jobcentre staff saw a dozen people secure seafaring roles on ferry routes out of the Mersey. As a result of the SWAP, 12 people have started working on Stena Line’s Birkenhead to Belfast route and the Isle of Man Steam Packet Company’s Liverpool to Isle of Man service.
A SWAP can last for up to six weeks. They are designed to fast-track people into jobs in sectors where there is high demand. People taking part undergo pre-employment training that matches the needs of the employers. They are also be offered a work experience placement and a guaranteed job interview
Linda added: “The employer was so impressed by the whole process and the high standard of applicants that they are wanting to run another group in September.”
Latest data shows a 1.9% rise in the number of people claiming Universal Credit from June to July in Liverpool city region. As of July 14 there were 171,020 people in Liverpool, Wirral, Knowsley, Sefton, St Helens and Halton, in receipt of Universal Credit – a rise of 1.9% from 167,847 on June 9.
St Helens saw the biggest rise in UC claimants, up 2.4% to 19,013. This was followed by Knowsley, up 2.1% to 19,341. Both Liverpool and Wirral saw a 1.9% rise to 60,313 and 30,719 respectively, with Halton up 1.6% to 15,537 and Sefton up 1.4% to 26,097.
DWP will hold a jobs fair in Liverpool city centre on Tuesday, September 20. Venue for the event will be arts and media hub FACT, which is located at 88 Wood Street. It will be aimed at jobseekers aged 50-plus and young people aged 18 to 24.
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A new campaign to recruit people to work in aviation will begin on September 19. It will include webinars and events from industry experts, including those from British Airways. Swissport, which plays a key role in operations at Liverpool John Lennon Airport will also be involved.
And Toxteth Jobcentre held a health hub for customers identified as needing support to manage health conditions. In total 35 people attended and seven organisations provided specialist support in areas such as mental health, pain management and neurodiverse conditions.