1200 Sefton residents have now been helped with workplace training.
As part of the plan to help people back to work, Sector-based Work Academy Programmes (SWAPs) help people move off welfare and into work by providing tailored training and work experience before a guaranteed job interview.
Businesses help design the training so that participants gain the right experience and skills for their roles.
The latest figures published this week show that in the last year 98,710 places were delivered nationally - the highest annual figure yet. It brings the total number of people taking part to 283,930 – in sectors ranging from coding to hospitality, construction, health and social care.
In Sefton, 1200 people have taken part so far, 730 in the Bootle Constituency, 180 in Sefton Central Constituency and 290 in the Southport Constituency.
Backed by industry giants such as UKHospitality, the British Chamber of Commerce and Business in the Community, alongside household brands like Amazon, JD Sports and Lidl, people leave SWAPs work ready as they apply for vacancies.
The training provides jobseekers with six weeks pre-employment training, vocational training run by a local college or training provider, work experience with an employer and a job interview with an employer in the sector at the end of the programme. People claiming Universal Credit, Jobseeker’s Allowance or Employment and Support Allowance are eligible to take part.
Together with increases in the National Minimum Wage, the National Living Wage and reductions in National Insurance, the training is part of £2.5bn Back to Work Plan, which is set to help over a million people, including those with long-term health conditions to break down barriers to work.
Secretary of State for Work & Pensions, Mel Stride MP said:
“Our Jobcentres are a proven route to changing lives through work and the learning and upskilling opportunities they provide are second to none.
"As part of our plan to build our new welfare settlement for Britain and grow the economy, this major milestone helps people get on with the skills they need to secure a great job, a higher wage, and a brighter future for their family.”
