A ‘jobs pledge’ aimed at developing job opportunities for local people was signed today by Jobcentre Plus and Halton Housing Trust.

Local Employment Partnerships (LEPs) represent a new and innovative approach for jobseekers, where employers pledge jobs for long term unemployed people and those at a disadvantage in the labour market.

Colin Billingsley, Customer Service Operations Manager for Jobcentre Plus, Halton said: “We want to give a fair chance to those often overlooked in the labour market and are pleased that Halton Housing Trust has agreed to work with Jobcentre Plus and other partner organisations to unlock the talent in the local community. There are some brilliant aspects to LEP, such as Work Trials and Pre-recruitment Training, which will ensure that the right people are submitted to vacancies, with a no risk element to the employer.”  

As the largest provider of social housing in Runcorn and Widnes, Halton Housing Trust is committed to working with its partners to maximise training and employment opportunities for unemployed customers and young people who live in their homes.

Noel Sharpe, Director of Customer Services for the Trust, said: “We look forward to working with the Local Employment Partnership to provide opportunities for long term unemployed to get back to work. Over 70% of the Trust’s customers are claiming benefits and it is one of our priorities to help people back into work within our community.