by David Jones

A dedicated centre run by a council in Kent to help people get back in to work was officially opened today (Friday).

Medway Council’s Employ Medway Advice Centre provides information, advice and signposting to help residents who are either unemployed, facing redundancy or graduates leaving university to find work or training opportunities.

Services include money management; professional advice and guidance sessions; ICT, CV and interview training sessions and supporting new businesses.

Employers can also get free advice and support with recruitment and staff training, including free job vacancy advertising, identifying suitable candidates for interview and signposting to other business support services. More than 1,500 people have visited the centre since it opened in August. Staff have registered 317 people, provided 105 clients with one-to-one employment support helped 94 people access training sessions to help them find work.

Cllr Jane Chitty, Medway Council’s portfolio holder for strategic development and economic growth,declared the flagship centre open for business.

Cllr Chitty said: “Medway Council has once again demonstrated its commitment to helping get people back in work, particularly during the recession.

The project is financed by SEEDA and Medway Council as part of the Employ North Kent programme.

The centre is based at 99 to 101 Chatham High Street and is open from 10am to 4pm.

Contact the Employ Medway Advice Centre on 01634 336682 or email employmedway@medway.gov.uk