by business editor Trevor Sturgess

Bluewater, the retail and leisure complex, has won cabinet plaudits for job creation and its pioneering training centre.

During a visit to The Learning Shop, work and pensions secretary Iain Duncan Smith said the training facility was a great example of the public and private sector working together.

The Learning Shop, a partnership between Bluewater developer Lend Lease, North West Kent College and JobCentre Plus, has brokered more than 32,000 jobs, trained 17,000 people and awarded 15,000 qualifications since Bluewater opened in 1999.

Mr Duncan Smith met jobseekers, trainees and staff, as well as representatives from US fashion brand Forever 21, and Byron, a hamburger specialist.

When Forever 21 opened last year, it worked with The Learning Shop to recruit and train people, especially 16 to 24-year-olds, for around 100 jobs.

Byron hired 18 staff, all previously unemployed, via The Learning Shop.

Mr Duncan Smith was also told about Bluewater's plans to create up to a further 2,300 new jobs from redevelopment of its West Village.

He said: "The Learning Shop is a great example of the private and public sector working together to deliver significant and long-lasting benefits to a region.

"It has successfully worked with tens of thousands of people, training and motivating them and crucially getting them into jobs. I congratulate them on the work they're doing."

Iain Duncan Smith meets staff at Forever 21 in Bluewater

Bluewater general manager Robert Goodman said evolution, innovation and partnership were the three reasons for its continued success.

"The partnership with The Learning Shop is the best example of this, and we have worked continuously to deliver real and meaningful benefits to people living locally and in the wider north Kent region.

"We are very proud, therefore, of what The Learning Shop achieves, and
are delighted it is has received such strong endorsement from the
secretary of state."