JOB Centres across Cornwall are starting to re-introduce face-to-face employability courses — such as the Construction Skills Certification Scheme, run by local training providers. Future accredited courses will include teaching assistant, retail, and hospitality, to support an increased job market, says the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP).

“Working with the NHS, we have also arranged some very successful employability courses, offering a number of diverse vacancies from maintenance to theatre staff,” a spokesperson added.

The DWP says that employers are welcome to use its premises in Cornwall for interviews — and among those to take this up have been Home Bargains, who recently recruited for staff in Bodmin Jobcentre. Employers such as Go Cornwall Bus, the Westberry Hotel and Modular Build Coppercoast will be attending future recruitment meetings. The Premier Inn, Wetherspoons, Park Dean Holidays, and media companies have been among those to use the Newquay Job Centre to run interviews.

“We currently have around 330 live Kickstart vacancies in Cornwall, with more coming online all the time,” said work coach Judith May. “These are high quality, six month placements for 18 to 24 year olds. Funding covers 100% of the National Minimum Wage for 25 hours per week, and employers are able to top this up. The scheme is focussed on supporting young people who are on Universal credit and at risk of long-term unemployment.”

For jobseekers of all ages there are currently more than 1,100 vacancies in Cornwall listed on the Government’s website (www.findajob.dwp.gov.uk) in a range of industries, says Judith.

“The biggest sectors are healthcare, followed by admin and hospitality.

“The rise in vacancies is welcome news for jobseekers, and we’d encourage employers to work with our network of jobcentres to find the right candidates.

“Employers can also use our Find a Job website and twitter to advertise their vacancies to a wide pool of people.”