The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has confirmed six steps JobCentres will take to help people find work, responding to concerns about the impact of artificial intelligence on employment. The measures were outlined in a parliamentary update after a question from Chris Bloore MP.
Six measures to support jobseekers
DWP minister Andrew Western confirmed the six steps as: work coaches identifying skills gaps, Sector-based Work Academy Programmes (SWAPs), Skills Bootcamps, apprenticeships, local training provision, and work experience placements. SWAPs are developed with employers and training providers and cover sectors such as health and social care, construction, logistics, hospitality and the public sector.
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." He added that the approach helps employers "access a pipeline of job-ready candidates."
Broader vision for employment services
On the same day, Baroness Sherlock set out the government's broader vision, announcing the creation of a new Jobs and Careers Service — a "modern, integrated, digitally enabled employment service" that brings together Jobcentre Plus and the National Careers Service in England. The service will be available to everyone, regardless of whether they claim benefits, and can be accessed online, by telephone or through face-to-face appointments.
Qualified careers advisers will focus on providing in-depth guidance to those facing the greatest barriers to work.
