Agency to make most of culture year jobs
22 May 2007
A SPECIALIST job centre is being set up in Liverpool to deal with the thousands of vacancies which will be created by massive redevelopment in the city and Capital of Culture year.
Liverpool’s booming retail and leisure sectors are expected to create about 8,000 jobs created in the coming year.
As the completion of Grosvenor’s £920m shopping development nears, and the opening of the Arena and Convention Centre Liverpool, due at the start of 2008, employers are expected to need help recruiting.
The new Shop for Jobs brings together the agencies currently dealing with employment and training to work with businesses.
The plans have been welcomed “100%” by Liverpool Chamber of Commerce who described it as a “fantastic initiative”.
Ed Oliver, deputy chairman of the Chamber, said at least 3,500 jobs were expected to be created in the retail sector over the coming 12 to 18 months, with many more “spin-off” jobs.
He said: “This is a classic opportunity for the people of Merseyside, where they will be able to look for new careers and job opportunities.”
The project will be launched at a business breakfast in Liverpool Town Hall on Thursday with an address by council leader, Cllr Warren Bradley.
Shop for Jobs will be based in the city centre, and will provide free business advice on recruitment, training and workforce development; matching clients to jobs; retention and progression initiatives.
Cllr Flo Clucas, Executive Member for Economic Development, said: “Liverpool is booming as a shopping destination with developments such as Liverpool One, the Metquarter and Central Village.
“With developments such as ACC Liverpool there will be an increasing number of visitors to the city. And, of course, with 2008 looming large, there will be a huge influx of tourists for the Capital of Culture.
“It all adds up to a huge increase in the numbers of jobs in these areas – with up to 8,000 being created. Added to this is the natural turnover of vacancies in existing businesses and there are big issues facing employers in recruiting the right calibre of staff.
“Shop for Jobs will help them in all aspects of staff recruitment, training and retention.”
Training will be tailored to meet the needs of individual employers, and the 15-strong team will also advise on how to access additional funding which may available.
They will also focus on those currently at a disadvantage in the labour market.
Staff for the team will come from a range of organisations including The People Pool, Jobcentre Plus, Connexions and JET.
Other partners include the Learning and Skills Council, Centre for Vocational Excellence, Liverpool Community College, training providers and the Culture Company.
by Liam Murphy, Liverpool Daily Post
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