Helping more local people into sustainable employment is a key objective of the council, working in partnership with a range of other public agencies, Colleges, the voluntary sector and employers. There are a number of ways in which the council can have an impact:
- As the largest local employer: even in times of reduced funding natural staff turnover means that the council regularly recruits staff at all levels of the organisation. The council remains committed to supporting young people through apprenticeships and wants a workforce that closely reflects the local community.
- By supporting local businesses and encouraging inward investment: the council continues to fund start-up support for people looking to set up in business and two new business centres will open later this year offering high quality managed workspace. The council is working with local partners to produce an inward investment brochure and take advantage of the focus that will be placed on the Olympic boroughs during the 2012 Games. For more details of support for businesses see the Barking and Dagenham Enterprise website.
- Improving skills - working with local Colleges, schools and training providers we are committed to maximising the numbers of residents, both young people and adults, engaged in education, employment or training, raising levels of attainment and helping them in their working life. A new Skills Centre being built in Barking Town Centre will provide opportunities for young people aged 16-19 and will complement provision already on offer from Barking Learning Centre. The Adult College of Barking and Dagenham continues to offer a wide range of provision across the borough, including its main site in Dagenham.
- Helping people into work: by working closely with Jobcentre Plus, Work Programme and other mainstream providers, funding Job Shops and a range of support from community facilities across the borough. These offer help with job search, CVs and application forms, access to short vocational courses and information, advice and guidance on careers. See the 'looking for work' pages for more information.
- Using planning and procurement: we are working to secure apprenticeships, job opportunities and work-related learning opportunities as part of major physical developments in the borough and the goods and services that the council buys.
In this section you will find information about job vacancies in the council, apprenticeships and contacts for a wide range of employment and skills support available across the borough.