THE JOBCENTRE has had success helping people return to work in the Mid Cornwall area.

Work Coaches across St Austell, Truro and Newquay have helped 435 people gain employment in the past week, including 20 aged over 50.

A Sector Work Academy Programme (SWAP) took place at St Austell Jobcentre, which featured qualifications in COSHH, Manual Handling and Emergency First Aid at Work with training provided by Cornwall Training and Consultancy.

Work Experience was arranged for claimants to complete with guaranteed job interviews with cleaning companies the Jobcentre is working with.

Ian Carroll from the Department for Work and Pensions said: “Brilliant outcomes with several customers starting work following the course.”

A CSCS Construction course was arranged to start in August with Cornwall Training. The course was full and had a reserve list due to popularity. Work experience will take place with BAM Construction who are building the new St Austell College. Candidates will have guaranteed job interviews with “good outcomes expected.”

A recruitment event took place at Newquay Jobcentre for employer CEX who were opening a new store in Newquay town centre.

Mr Carroll said: “The event was a great success with the employer filling all of their vacancies in sales assistant and team leader posts. The employer was delighted with this outcome and how prepared the claimants were. An opening day is taking place on Friday, August 15 and work experience opportunities have also been secured for claimants.

A police careers webinar is taking place for people interested in joining Devon and Cornwall Police as a police officer, call handler, detention officer, special constable or admin, which will be held virtually over teams on August 14 and September 4.

The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) is calling on employers across Cornwall to take advantage of a wide range of recruitment support available through local jobcentres.

The office manager for Newquay Jobcentre said: “We want to work with you to fill your vacancies,” said the “Our jobcentres are open for recruitment events tailored to individual employers, and we regularly host jobsfairs that bring multiple businesses together under one roof. We can also organise work academies and boot camps to help prepare candidates for your roles.”

For jobseekers, the DWP is offering opportunities to build lifelong skills through pre-employment training and voluntary work experience.

A spokesperson said: “The programmes provide valuable hands-on experience and help develop essential transferable skills.

“They can be a stepping stone to a new career path. Attending a jobsfair is a great way for jobseekers to meet employers face-to-face, learn about live vacancies, and discover the full range of support available through their local jobcentre.”

Minister for Employment, Alison McGovern said: "The figures show real progress with economic inactivity down, and 384,000 jobs added to the economy since last summer, putting more money in people’s pockets.

“We are determined to see unemployment fall that’s why we’re focused on getting people into good jobs by joining up work, health and skills support and transforming jobcentres to focus on genuine support not ticking boxes.

“As we grow the economy and transform opportunity in every area with our Plan for Change, we will ensure no one will be left on the scrapheap.”