County career and training opportunities highlighted at autumn events

Philip White

People can discover the latest career and training opportunities in Staffordshire at a series of autumn events hosted by a partnership of professional organisations.

The Staffordshire Jobs and Careers Service, recently launched by the county council, will be joined by a range of partners at the job fairs over the next month. They will be promoting jobs, training and apprenticeships across a range of sectors, matching people’s skills with relevant opportunities.

Recently the partnership has supported ex-employees of high street retailer Wilko and from Amazon’s Rugeley site, with the company relocating this operation to Sutton Coldfield.

Autumn job and career fairs will be taking place at:
• McArthur Glenn retail outlet Cannock on Thursday September 28, 3pm to 7pm
• Hanley Jobcentre on Tuesday October 3 from 10am to 1pm
• Cannock Civic Centre Ballroom on Thursday October 12 from 10am to 1pm
• Newcastle Jobcentre on Wednesday October 25 (time tbc)
• Rugeley Community Church & Centre, Burnthill Lane, on Thursday October 26 from 10am to 1pm

The Staffordshire Jobs and Careers Service has an expert team of brokers on hand to match job seekers with appropriate vacancies. Its website includes advice on careers or training options, top tips to gain employment and information for businesses.

It also provides a career directory with information to help better understand different job roles and links to other web sources offering support both locally and nationally. An in-person service is also available. The team can help people navigate job searches and put together a plan to support them through interviews.

Staffordshire County Council also coordinates the national Multiply adult numeracy programme, which supports adults to develop their skills to manage household budgeting and further career opportunities. The county council’s library service now offers a business start-up information hub for potential entrepreneurs, a digital resource with information on starting a business and regular drop-in sessions offering advice and guidance on setting up a new enterprise.

The county council works closely with the Department for Work and Pensions’ Jobcentre Plus service, the National Careers Service, the local enterprise partnership, all district and borough councils and the county’s colleges to ensure there is a comprehensive support offer – not only to people looking for employment or training, but also employers searching for ideal candidates for their vacancies.

Staffordshire County Council’s deputy leader and cabinet member for economy and skills Philip White said:

We operate a hugely successful partnership with colleagues from a range of organisations to support people into employment, further their careers or take advantage of training and skills development opportunities.

The county council launched its Staffordshire Jobs and Careers Service earlier this year and it’s already making a difference. It means people can easily navigate relevant opportunities to them with our team of expert brokers, while employers countywide can find the most appropriate candidates for their vacancies. With a high demand by businesses for skilled workers this is increasingly important.

The partnership acts swiftly when situations such as Amazon’s relocation or the Wilko closures unfortunately occur, but the service is there all of the time for people and businesses across the county, so we’d urge them to find out more about what it could mean for them.”