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The number of people claiming Job Seekers' Allowance in Hull rose by more than 2,000 in the last six months of 2008 – but help is at hand to find people jobs

“Even though there is bad news in the city, there are jobs available.” - Diana Tahir, a former jobseeker who was helped by City Works

Making the switch from factory to office work was a challenge for Diana Tahir.
Feeling she had more to offer than working on a production line, she completed a course in business administration at Hull College.
But with the current economic downturn, she began to worry about whether she would ever find the job she wanted.
A visit to the One Step Shop, run by City Works, on Ferensway, changed all that.
Through City Works' BRITE project (Building Routes into Training and Employment), she was given a paid work placement in an office.
It enabled her to put into practice the skills she had learned at college, as well as build confidence.
As a result, she was spotted by a local employer who gave her a full-time job as an admin officer.
"My new job couldn't have come at a better time for me and my family," says Diana.
"It's proof that even though there is bad news in the city, there are jobs available and I would recommend that anyone who is trying to find work and wants to get on visits City Works."
As well as the Ferensway office, City Works has recently opened a second office in the city centre, on Princes Dock Street.
Both offices are places where unemployed people can register their skills and be matched with training opportunities and local vacancies.

Message to employers

In recent years City Works has worked in partnership with a range of local companies, including many of the shops in St. Stephen's, and in doing so has helped more than 1,500 people find jobs.
Now it has launched a 'Local Employment Charter' which encourages local employers to sign a pledge to keep local jobs for local people, where possible.
And it has set up an 0800 915 5274 hotline on which employers can get in touch with City Works to register job vacancies.
"Our aim is to work with employers to build an appropriately skilled workforce," says Lee Creamer, codirector of City Works.
"Once employers let us know of a vacancy, we can then match it with people who have registered with us."

Jobs in other sectors

Meanwhile, Jobcentre Plus is putting in place rapid response services to help people cope with redundancies, including giving advice to employees whose companies are about to make them redundant.
It's records show that between April and November last year, the number of people claiming Job Seekers' Allowance rose from 8,705 to 11,015 (out of a total population of almost 150,000 people of working age).
A large proportion of the new claimants are from the caravan industry, many of whom will need to re-train to work in other sectors.
"Someone who's been working as a tinner in the caravan industry for the last 15 years might not have a CV, but we can help them write one," says Ben Elton, of Latitude, an organisation which provides advice and information on finding work to anyone aged between 16 and 65.
"We can put them in touch with training and jobs in other sectors, possibly the security industry or a driving job, or in the retail or food sectors.
"We try to build up a rapport with clients and look at their interests, qualifications and experience and help match them up with jobs that suit them."
Latitude opens a new office this month in north Hull (see info panel below for more details).

Where to find support Other organisations which offer support to job seekers include Probe UK Online Centre, at Annandale Road, east Hull, which can be contacted on 707965 or at info@probeltd.co.uk See also Goodwin Training Services, based in The Goodwin Centre, Ice House Road, west Hull, which can be contacted on 594322 or by visiting www.goodwintrust.org Latitude can be contacted on 830112 or at cw@latitude.uk.com or visit its office at 93 Greenwood Avenue, or at the Bespoke Centre, Bransholme. City Works can be contacted on 308711 or by visiting www.cityworks.org.uk. It's offices are at 18 Ferensway and at 26 Princes Dock Street. Also contact Jobcentre Plus at www.jobcentreplus.gov.uk or call 0845 6060 234

info

A job fair takes place on February 18 at Hull City Hall between 10am and 4.30pm at which job seekers can meet prospective employers, and find out about training opportunities.