Sectors including health and social care, warehousing and logistics are still hiring and there is also demand for customer services roles, according to Jobcentre Plus Merseyside. Tony McDonough reports
Jobcentre Plus in Merseyside says there continues to be a good flow of job vacancies in a number of sectors, despite the COVID-19 crisis.
And, as the number of people claiming Universal Credit across the Liverpool city region continues to edge up, those who have lost their job, or have been put new Job Support Scheme, being urged to check their availability for the benefit.
Latest data for the Liverpool city region shows that as of September 10, there were 168,488 people in Liverpool, Wirral, Knowsley, Sefton, St Helens and Halton, in receipt of Universal Credit – a rise over just over 2% from August.
Liverpool, again, saw the biggest percentage rise in UC claimants, up 2.6% to 57,969; followed by Knowsley, up 2.4% to 18,602; St Helens, up 2% to 18,178; Wirral, up 1.8% to 30,853; Halton, up 1.6% to 16,344; and Sefton, up 1.2% to 26,542.
Senior relationship manager for Jobcentre Plus Merseyside, Gemma Batchelor, told LBN: “There are lots of vacancies at the moment in sectors that have remained strong during the pandemic including health and social care, warehousing and logistics and customer service roles.
“We also have lots of support available for people who need help to look for work, such as the new JETs programme, Job Entry Targeted Support, delivered by Ingeus, which will provide extra help to thousands of people.”
She offered examples of city region employers who are being assisted by Jobcentre Plus to fill vacancies. They include:
- Pilgrim’s Pride recruiting more than 300 full time food production operatives for its site in Bromborough. Following completion of a five-day training course there will be a guaranteed interview.
- ATOS is recruiting customer service representatives for full-time positions at its Birkenhead site. Sysco will train candidates in customer service before a guaranteed interview with ATOS.
- Just One is currently recruiting full and part-time support workers. No experience is necessary as full ongoing training will be provided.
Ms Batchelor added: “As Liverpool city region has been placed into the ‘Very High’ COVID alert level we know that this will have a knock on effect on employment across Merseyside.
“We want to remind people that if your income is affected either because you have lost your job or you have been moved onto the new Job Support Scheme then check if you are eligible for Universal Credit. We are here to help you get your claim up and running and to help you look for another job or to increase your earnings.”
For more information on current job vacancies click here. If you are an employer looking for assistance to fill vacancies click here. You can follow Jobcentre Plus Merseyside on Twitter @JCPinMerseyside