The REC and Jobcentre Plus are today (Tuesday January 11) launching a Memorandum of Understanding. This partnership agreement between public and private sector employment services is hugely significant at what remains a difficult time for the UK jobs market.
The principal aim of the MOU is to outline specific areas of co-operation in helping people into work in this challenging economic climate. The signing of the Memorandum of Understanding by Kevin Green, the REC’s Chief Executive and Darra Singh, Chief Executive of Jobcentre Plus will be followed by a roundtable discussion involving recruitment agencies and Jobcentre Plus representatives. This will provide a unique opportunity for sharing intelligence on the latest outlook for job-seekers from across the private/public sector divide.
Commenting on the significance of this event, Kevin Green said:
“The partnership between the REC and Jobcentre Plus has already been a great success over the past two years - it has helped tens of thousands of people get back into work. More can be done to harness the expertise of private sector recruiters and the REC is committed to working with Government to explore new opportunities. There has never been a more important time for public and private sector employment services to work together, and the new Memorandum will help to take this to the next stage.“
Speaking about the signing, Darra Singh said:
“The partnership between Jobcentre Plus and REC has been a real success - offering unemployed professionals the opportunity to access support from specialist recruitment agencies. Our priority at Jobcentre Plus is to ensure that people get the right support to get back to work quickly, which is why I am delighted to be strengthening our partnership with renewed impetus.”
Through the new MOU launched this week, the REC and Jobcentre Plus have pledged to work together in the following areas:
- To help people into work by giving them the right support and best opportunities for training and jobs
- Raise awareness of the benefits of a diverse workforce by giving employers clear guidance and access to the widest range of people seeking work
- Give employers support in helping people with different circumstances get back into work
- Act as champions against discrimination and challenge unfair employment policies
- Share knowledge and expertise on the best ways of helping people back into work