Basingstoke's MP met with Jamie Buchanan, Customer Service Leader for the M3 Corridor at Jobcentre to discuss local employment and support.
Maria commented; Jamie and the Jobcentre staff have worked tirelessly during the pandemic to support jobseekers and new applicants to Universal Credit. I am delighted to hear that organisations are coming forward to offer opportunities through the kickstart programme and that staff are focussed on working with more and more employers who want to sign up to the scheme. It is clear that the pandemic has had a real effect on employment and the Jobcentre is expanding its team of work coaches to provide face to face support for those seeking work.”
In order to comply with social distancing and service to a wider area including Andover and Farnborough, the Jobcentre are also opening up in Centenary House adjacent to the current building. The building will focus on crucial one to one support for jobseekers with a significantly increased team of Job Coaches.
Maria added; “We are very lucky to have such good support here in Basingstoke from JCP for both for those seeking work and Employers seeking to recruit. It is good to hear more and more employers are considering the Kickstart Programme as a great way of recruiting young people and providing them with invaluable experience and opportunities.”