New Jobcentre Plus opens in Ilford alongside the Council’s Work Redbridge scheme
Published: 16 March 2022
A new Jobcentre Plus opened officially in central Ilford on Wednesday, 16 March, where the Council’s Work Redbridge scheme will also upskill local people and help them into better-paid employment.
The Jobcentre Plus occupies the former Debenhams store on the top floor of the Exchange Ilford shopping centre.
Created by the UK Government’s Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), the facility will feature a permanent presence from Redbridge Council’s Work Redbridge service to help residents find fulfilling local jobs and assist the borough’s employers in sourcing the candidates they need.
The new centre will also offer intensive support to residents aged 16-25 years.
The Leader and Deputy Leader of the Council, Councillor Jas Athwal and Councillor Kam Rai, were at the opening event where more than 25 local employers, including Transport for London and local care providers, were on-site for a recruitment day following the centre’s opening.
Speaking at the opening event, Cllr Jas Athwal said: “Local people across Redbridge continue to feel the financial squeeze of the pandemic, combined with the worsening cost of living crisis. Helping local people into employment and upskilling them into better-paid jobs through our Work Redbridge scheme is just one of the many things that Redbridge Council is doing to help put money into the pockets of local families struggling to make ends meet. It was a privilege to open the new Jobcentre today.
"The opening of the new Jobcentre Plus, which will include a space for our Work Redbridge team to work alongside the Jobcentre team, is a really significant moment, giving local people access to better work opportunities and the chance to further their careers.”
Cllr Kam Rai said: “The launch of the new Jobcentre Plus in Ilford Exchange is a collaborative project, bringing a range of different local support services, including employers, under one roof to help local people into employment; they are ready and eager to help.
"People are struggling with the cost of living crisis and the financial impact of the pandemic, and it’s why we are focussed on up-skilling our neighbours and supporting them into better-paid employment through our free Work Redbridge service. This is just one of the ways that Redbridge Council is supporting local people.”
The opening event also saw the launch of the new Barking and Dagenham, Havering and Redbridge care recruitment initiative, which will address recruitment and retention needs within the social care sector and led by Care Providers’ Voice.
The initiative will help care providers access quality local staff and assist those already working in the sector to develop existing roles and pursue career progression.
