Council plans to launch new employment hub

AN EMPLOYMENT hub may be opened in Wokingham, as the number of out of work residents more than doubles.

The borough council is drawing up plans to create the hub in or near the town centre, and a decision will be made tonight.

It will involve the Department for Work and Pensions, National Careers Service, Wokingham Job Support Centre and the Optalis Supported Employment Service, who will all help provide advice.

It will be open on weekdays, and have space to deliver training and digital skills, space for sessions run by outside groups, access to computers to help with job searches and a reception.

Cllr Stuart Munro, executive member for business and economic development at Wokingham Borough Council, said: “Our employment hub will provide a onestop shop for anyone looking for work in our borough.

“Rising unemployment is a problem we’ve seen grow in the last year across the country, which may still get worse as we come out of lockdown, so we have stepped up to provide the facilities our residents will need to help them get back into work.”

The nearest Jobcentre Plus is in Bracknell or Reading, although there is Wokingham Job Support Centre offering help and support from The Cornerstone in Norreys Avenue. It is currently closed to visitors, but operating virtually.

The council said visiting the Reading and Bracknell centres creates additional barriers and costs for those out of work.

Over the last year, the unemployment rate in Wokingham has more than doubled — although the base rate was lower than other areas in the UK.

Services will focus on teaching skills to get into work, retraining older people and maximising opportunities in high demand sectors such as care workers, the green economy and film production.

There will also be short training opportunities for high demand sectors, such as the CSCS card required for work on construction sites, safe lifting, for work in the care sector and food hygiene.

The hub will cost roughly £80,000 to refurbish and is expected to cost £10,00 each year in running costs and maintenance.

It will be staffed by the council’s property, adult education and not in employment, education or training (NEET) teams, with ongoing support from the Department for Work and Pensions and Jobcentre Plus.

Optalis, which provides employment support for people with disabilities, will also be involved. The centre will also work in partnership with the council’s youth services and education and training providers.

A decision on the employment hub will be made by the council’s executive tonight.