MIDDLESBROUGH COUNCIL

AGENDA ITEM

MIDDLESBROUGH JOBS FAIR

Executive Member for Economic Growth: Councillor Charles Rooney

Executive Director for Economic Development and Communities:

Kevin Parkes

15 March 2016

PURPOSE OF THE REPORT

1.The purpose of this report is to propose to the Executive an annual job fair to be held in the town.

SUMMARY OF RECOMMENDATIONS

2.The report recommends that the Executive endorses the Council’s lead role in organising a major job fair in the town

IF THIS IS A KEY DECISION WHICH KEY DECISION TEST APPLIES?

3. / It is over the financial threshold (£150,000)
It has a significant impact on 2 or more wards
Non Key / X

4.DECISION IMPLEMENTATION DEADLINE

For the purposes of the scrutiny call in procedure this report is

Non-urgent / X
Urgent report

If urgent please give full reasons

BACKGROUND AND EXTERNAL CONSULTATION

5.The recent promotion of the message that Middlesbrough is changing has focused on the £500 million of investment that will equip the town for the 21st century and help to drive social and economic change.

6.Middlesbrough is Changing also reflects the increased business confidence in the town, leading to growth projects and new investments such as AV Dawson’s £12.5 million rail terminal, Charles Clinkard’s £3 million headquarters at Cannon Park, and the 138 room Holiday Inn Express in Centre Square.

7.As these investments and others in the town start to come to fruition, and businesses gear up for their continued expansion, it is important to look at how this economic growth in the town can be capitalised upon to ensure that local people are best placed to benefit from it.

8.The level of job creation stimulated by this activity provides an opportunity to bring together the respective recruitment efforts on a periodic basis, and arrange a co-ordinated platform for them to engage directly with local people. Generating such a large number of new job vacancies within a short space of time will enable the companies involved to jointly present their opportunities and begin the process of registering and screening interested jobseekers.

9.Middlesbrough Council Economic Development held a successful recruitment fair in the Town Hall in May 2015 that showcased approximately 300 jobs with 50 local companies and attracted over 3000 attendees.

10.The success of the May fair can be attributed to the key anchor companies that were undertaking significant recruitment drives at the time such as the Holiday Inn Express, First Source Business Services, Axa Insurance, On A Roll and Marstons Pubs (Six Medals).

11.A core working group exists from the May fair comprising Middlesbrough College, DWP, Stronger Families, Communities, Economic Development, National Careers Service and Middlesbrough Community Learning.

12.Further job fairs were considered following the success of the May fair, however following the closure of SSI the DWP began to organise a number of job fairs on behalf of the SSI Taskforce to promote employment opportunities from local and national companies.

13.The DWP job fairs were held in Redcar in October 15, Middlesbrough on 21 November and a third fair is to be held in Middlesbrough on 27 January 2016. It is understood other job fairs may be organised by the DWP.

Proposal

14.An annual job fair in Middlesbrough is proposed to showcase local employers and recruitment agencies with genuine jobs currently available in the area and provide support to Middlesbrough residents to access jobs available. Initially to take place in June or October 2016 to tie in with summer/Christmas recruitment drives and to continue and expand the DWP SSI job fair programme.

15.Middlesbrough residents will have the opportunity to meet with employers to explore job opportunities whilst receiving the necessary support from the relevant departments and agencies to increase their employability status and work readiness.

16.The location and timing of the event will be determined to ensure that there are sufficient ‘anchor’ companies to showcase and the event provides ‘real’ opportunities for Middlesbrough residents. The Town Hall will be undergoing renovation therefore possible locations will include Middlesbrough College STEM building or Middlesbrough FC.

17.The event will be planned in partnership with the original Middlesbrough job fair core working group as mentioned in point 11. In addition the group will be expanded to ensure all relevant partners are included.

18.The aim is to ensure vacancies available on the day will largely be full time, permanent contracts, with many linked to structure training and detailed induction courses for successful candidates. Seasonal jobs will potentially be on offer

Linking Local People to Employment Opportunities

19.Although the businesses involved will be keen to engage with potential employees from any area, the Council is keen to ensure that all jobseekers within Middlesbrough are aware of the opportunities on offer, and are supported to attend wherever possible. To maximise the potential engagement from Middlesbrough jobseekers, the following actions will be taken:

  1. letters to every secondary school, college or major training provider to ensure that their current or future leavers are aware of the event;
  2. the Stronger Families Service (formerly 0-19) will promote the event to young people classed as not in employment, education or training (NEET);
  3. The community hubs will play a key role in promoting the fair.
  4. Jobcentre Plus will promote the event to clients attending both Middlesbrough Job Centres;
  5. The Evening Gazette and local radio will promote.
  6. press releases will be sent to all other appropriate media outlets; and,
  7. Existing networks, client databases and social media accounts will be used to raise awareness. Love Middlesbrough and the community hubs played a significant role in raising awareness of the previous May job fair

IMPACT ASSESSMENT (IA)

20.An Impact Assessment has been undertaken for the overall approach to supporting employability. No negative impacts have been identified as part of this assessment.

OPTION APPRAISAL/RISK ASSESSMENT

Option Appraisal

21.The option of encouraging employers to host their own individual events, but with linked promotional efforts was considered, but rejected as although the employers were all working to slightly different timescales on their recruitment, the opportunity to pool vacancies to generate a wider engagement with jobseekers was preferred to alternative approaches.

22.DWP continue to host events in line with their SSI taskforce programme. This is possible, however information from the DWP can often be limited and events are therefore not as widely publicised to our residents.

Risk Assessment

23.Other than the practical risk associated with hosting any event of this size, no additional risk has been identified.

FINANCIAL, LEGAL AND WARD IMPLICATIONS

24.Financial –resources, promotional materials, hire of venue, refreshments – £2K - £3K - however much of this cost could be reduced or minimised through a partnership approach or providing saleable services i.e. refreshments. Staff time would be the main cost to the Council.

25.Ward Implications - the Council’s approach to promoting these opportunities is aimed at people across all wards in Middlesbrough.

26.Legal Implications –there are no legal issues identified with the event.

RECOMMENDATIONS

27.It is recommended that the Executive approve the Council’s lead role in organising a major annual Jobs Fair in the town.

REASONS

28.Promoting a significant number of jobs in the town through a focused event should provide local jobseekers with the best opportunity to engage with companies and secure future employment.

BACKGROUND PAPERS

29.No background papers were used in the preparation of this report.

AUTHOR: Debbie Ingoldsby

TEL NO: 729132

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Address:

Website:

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