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Vacancies

Answer

The administration of Jobcentre Plus is a matter for the chief executive of Jobcentre Plus, Darra Singh. I have asked him to provide the hon. Member with the information requested.Letter from Darra Singh:"The Secretary of State has asked me to reply to your Parliamentary Question about what guidance Jobcentre Plus provides to jobseekers who do not have an internet connection at home on how to access information on job vacancies. This is something that falls within the responsibilities delegated to me as Chief Executive of Jobcentre Plus.""We recognise the upward trend of employers using online applications as their preferred method of recruitment, so we know it is becoming increasingly important for our customers to be able to search for and apply for jobs online.""In response and in recognition that not everyone has internet access at home, we have put in place measures to help people gain access to online vacancies through other means.""This includes signposting people in England to the UK online free-phone telephone number 0800 771234 (or other similar services in Scotland and Wales) to find their nearest UK online centre; and signposting directly to known local sources of access such as the local library.""Advisers will also highlight other means of access such as using smart phones to access the internet to look for jobs. We have developed a specific smart phone job search application available for I Phone and Google Android systems so customers with these handsets can have ready access to vacancies at the touch of a button.""To help further raise the profile of our own online services, we are also committed to the ““Race on Line”” initiative, part of which has seen the deployment of a Digital Champion in every local Jobcentre Plus office. Their role is to promote digital take up and to find what support is available locally for customers to get online through partner organisations and share this information with colleagues to help and encourage customers to get online.""Over and above helping people access vacancies online, we also signpost people to the Direct Gov job bank through Jobseeker Direct (our telephony based jobsearch and matching service) on 0845 606 0234 and Job Points in every Jobcentre Plus local office, both of which provide people with fast and easy access to thousands of jobs.""I hope this reply is helpful and assures you of our intent to make sure jobseekers get the help they need to look and apply for jobs."

Secondary information

Type

Written question

Reference

34787; 522 c259-60W

Session

2010-12

Subjects

Vacancies

Link

View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk