Gateshead Works aims to provide jobs boost

Getting people into work and ensuring the success of Gateshead’s bright future are the aims of a free job-matching service launched this week.

Gateshead Works is designed to provide Gateshead employers with job-ready local employees, while providing residents with the support they need to find sustainable, quality employment locally.

The new job-brokerage service is being delivered by Gateshead Council in partnership with Gateshead College, Northumbria University and The Department for Work and Pensions. They will work with existing and potential employers in Gateshead to access and develop the right talent, knowledge and skills to support their workforce needs.

Sheena Ramsey, Chief Executive, Gateshead Council said: “There are as many as 5,330 working age adults in the borough who are out of work. Businesses and employers repeatedly tell us that many people presenting for interview do not have the skills and attitudes required for work.

“These are the kind of problems that Gateshead Works will tackle, with the intention of bringing those people back into the workplace, giving them the confidence and skills, that unemployment can, and frequently does, take away.

“The borough’s job situation has geographical variations, with some areas having a disproportionate number of people who are out of work and on benefits. We’re confident that this new job-brokerage scheme will address these variations, offering hope and opportunity to those affected but also providing our thriving business community with local talent.”

The CEO and Principal of Gateshead College said: “We have a track record of successfully helping move people from benefits and into sustainable employment thanks to training programmes with employers including Go North East, intu, the North East Ambulance Service amongst others. This partnership gives us an opportunity to support even more people as well as businesses across the borough who need access to work ready employees.”

Northern Gas and Power have already shown interest in the free service, to identify potential candidates with the drive and enthusiasm to succeed and develop their skills. The company’s Head Office is based at Baltic Quay, Gateshead and they’re growing at a substantial rate.

Scott High, Global People Director at Northern Gas and Power said: “We are a big employer in Gateshead and have global operations with offices in Leeds, Malta, India, Paris, Texas, and we are just about to open a brand-new office in Singapore. We started off with a team of just 2 people and have grown year-on-year with a current workforce of more than 350 and a turnover in excess of £28m.

“We understand there will be people unemployed or sadly affected by redundancy, as in the case of Utilitywise, where we were able to secure 50 of their people with new opportunities. Many additional jobs are due to be created at our Gateshead base and this programme can complement our existing proactive recruitment drive.

“Our training programme is second to none and will help develop people’s skills in a variety of areas, particularly our vital services and support functions. We are looking forward to collaborating with Gateshead Works and giving young people opportunities to change their lives.”