DWP praise Falkirk area job centre staff

A DWP spokesperson said: “During challenging times job centres have continued to deliver DWP services to customers and support them into work. This is in part due to the tremendous effort from DWP staff, delivering a multi-channel offer to customers, including a programme of virtual sessions on employability and training.”

One of the services staff have been delivering to customers is the lick-start programme, which aims to deliver over 10,000 new opportunities for young people over the next few months with over 125,000 opportunities planned in several sectors across the UK.

The DWP stated: “Employment opportunities will come from public, private and third sector employers with gatekeeper organisations registered in Forth Valley. There will also be a Youth Hub on partnership working hosted at Forth Valley College’s Falkirk campus.

"Young people who use the service will also be able to take advantage of the range of advice and guidance available from a Jobcentre work coach, Forth Valley College’s learner advisors, Developing the Young Workforce Forth Valley and Skills Development Scotland."

Jobcentres in the Falkirk area are currently engaging with a number of local employers, including Ion Care, Enigma Cleaning and Central Union Direct, who have vacancies for a number of posts.

The work of Jobcentre staff comes at a time when Falkirk had 9641 people claiming Universal Credit at December 10 last year. This is 106 more claimants – a 1.1 per cent increase – than the previous month.