C o m m u n i t y
JobCentres are not What they Were!
The old JobCentres are now very different from how we perhaps remember them (?!). Rebranded ‘JobCentre Plus’ they offer so much more, not only to the man in the street but also now to service families. This is a deliberate and direct response to the disadvantage experienced by service families highlighted in the Service Personnel Command Paper. Jo Harpley from JobCentre Plus explains more about what is available…
I
t can be difficult for partners of Service Personnel to get a job or access services such as childcare or training. Short periods of employment or gaps on the CV can
be misinterpreted as a lack of commitment. JobCentre Plus strongly believes that currently serving personnel and their families should not face any disadvantage as a result of serving their country, which means improving access to state benefits and employment programmes.
Just a few weeks ago the Service Families Employment and Skills Taskforce published its report. A key priority is the creation of an online one-stop-shop for jobs and training to allow Service families to find out what jobs and training are available in the areas where bases are located, and to apply online. The service will be available this Summer via two existing websites: Directgov (search for ‘jobs’), and the Royal British Legion Civvy Street jobs portal.
Armed Forces Champions Another recommendation was to establish Armed Forces Champions throughout the country allied to JobCentre Plus districts, to ensure the concerns of Service personnel and their families are addressed.
Armed Forces Champions, who have been in place for a few months, are taking a proactive role in improving the employment prospects and opportunities for the wider Armed Forces community. They do not replace existing services, such as the Resettlement process, but aim to provide additional support to the Service community.
Working with local bases and the Families Federations they are raising awareness of the support available through JobCentre Plus such as one-to-one guidance on general employment related matters or producing a CV. Any problems accessing JobCentre Plus services can be fed through to the local Champions via Unit Admin Offices.
Job search help for Armed Services and their Families JobCentre Plus realises how challenging it can be for members of the Armed Forces to move into a civilian career. That’s why we are engaging with both national and regional employers to identify work trials and employment opportunities for service leavers.
An employer event held recently in Oxfordshire, organised by JobCentre Plus and the Hamilton Project, provided current and ex-Service personnel and their families with information on the help available to get
46 Summer 2010
them into work. We hope to be able to repeat these events elsewhere.
Details about employment and training opportunities and events will be shared with local bases and the HIVE Information Service.
For families are posted overseas, JobCentre Plus can provide information on the European Employment Service (EURES) and its network of EURES advisers.
Extra help for Service families Those that have served in the regular Armed Forces in the last three years for a period of three months or more, may be entitled to extra help through the New Deal/Flexible New Deal programmes.
Partners may also be considered for this extra help either as part of a joint claim for Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA) or if their partner is claiming JSA in their own right. Many partners of currently serving personnel will be eligible for help through New Deal for Partners if the serving member receives a qualifying benefit such as Working Tax Credits.
Getting Started The Directgov jobs and skills tool at www.
direct.gov.uk/jobsearch is the largest database of job vacancies and training courses in the UK. You can also use the database to search for voluntary work and childcare providers across the UK.
The ‘Find your way back to work’ website:
www.direct.gov.uk/backtowork includes advice on how to improve your CV, interview tips, different ways of searching for work and gaining new skills.
www.raf-ff.org.uk
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