The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has set out six steps it is taking to improve JobCentres across the UK, as concerns grow over the impact of artificial intelligence on employment prospects.
The measures are designed to help people find work and clarify the future direction of JobCentres. The update comes after the DWP faced scrutiny over its support for unemployed people. According to the Office for National Statistics, the UK's unemployment rate stands at 4.7 per cent.
AI Concerns and Government Response
Mounting concerns exist across numerous sectors over AI's impact on jobs. The IMF says about 70 per cent of UK workers are in roles with tasks that AI could potentially perform or enhance, a higher proportion than in America, where protests have been held over the construction of data centres required to power AI. A UK government document published in January stated: "Several analyses find that job postings have declined more sharply in occupations with higher AI exposure."
Such anxieties heighten the importance of government schemes to assist people returning to work should AI trigger job losses. The DWP was asked to explain the steps it is taking to integrate skills for specific job sector training into core Jobcentre Plus support services, to spell out the future role of JobCentres, and to explain how many people they expect JobCentres to support following the extension of careers advice to all members of the public.
The Six Steps Outlined
On Monday, November 2, the department outlined the measures being brought in to support Britons seeking employment. DWP minister Andrew Western stated there were six steps the department was pursuing. These include:
- Skills Bootcamps to develop skills employers are looking for
- Work Academy Programmes offering pre-employment training and a guaranteed job interview
- Work coaches to spot skills gaps in workers
- Apprenticeships
- Local training provision
- Work experience placements
Explaining each step following a question from Redditch MP Chris Bloore, Mr Western said: "DWP is integrating skills support into core Jobcentre Plus services by enabling Work Coaches to identify claimants' skills gaps and refer jobseekers to provision aligned with labour market demand, including Sector-based Work Academy Programmes, Skills Bootcamps, apprenticeships, local training provision and work experience placements."
Future of JobCentres and Careers Service
Mr Western's remarks came on the same day Baroness Sherlock was questioned about JobCentres' future role. She outlined a range of government programmes designed to increase employment.
She said: "This government is creating a new Jobs and Careers Service: a modern, integrated, digitally enabled employment service that has already brought together Jobcentre Plus and the National Careers Service in England and is working hand in hand with employers and local partners."
Baroness Sherlock added: "Our vision for the new service is that customers will have a clear understanding of our expectations and ambitions for them, with access to tailored employment, skills and careers support to find and progress in work."
Careers support has always been available to adults in England and will continue through the DWP Careers Service in England, which is available to everyone regardless of whether they claim benefits. Support can be accessed online, by telephone, or through face-to-face appointments. Qualified careers advisers will focus on providing in-depth guidance to customers who face greater barriers to working or learning. DWP will monitor usage of online tools and resources, volume of calls to the careers telephone line and number of appointments conducted to assess demand for the service and to ensure that demand is met, as appropriate to customer need and circumstance.
