Spring jobs boost for Newham

There could be a boost for the unemployed on the way with Newham Council insisting to make jobs and training opportunities the by-word in making their millions of pounds worth of deals with contractors.

A pledge by City Hall to improve job and skill opportunities has been endorsed by the leaders of London’s 33 councils, who yearly spend over �8bn on goods and services.

Each borough will decide exactly how the pledge will work in their area and will start by March. Among the options as to how the commitment can be delivered are: target to increase training and job opportunities to be created through procurement and reviewing existing contracts and seek voluntary commitment from contractors to create apprenticeships

City Hall say contractors could be asked to recruit a set number of apprentices or a percentage of the workforce locally.

A quota of work placements could be offered to young people, graduates, or unemployed people, and contractors could seek more opportunities for workless people through their own supply chains.

London Councils’ Executive Member for Children and Young People, Councillor Steve Reed said: “In these tough economic times, boroughs are committed to helping people equip themselves with the skills they need to find work and in helping them to get back to the jobs market.

“This pledge sends a clear message to potential contractors that local authorities across London will use their spending power to reduce unemployment in the area.”