Member Article

‘Skills shop’ launched in Brighton

Caroline Lucas MP was the guest of honour at the official launch of an innovative new ‘skills shop’ in Brighton.

City Skills & Jobs has been established by City College Brighton and Hove, as a vibrant and welcoming ‘one stop shop’ to facilitate connections between employers and their potential employees.

In line with the College’s ongoing commitment to boosting local apprenticeships, The Apprenticeship Training Association will also be located within the shop which is on Queens Road.

Dr Lucas, said: “These are hugely difficult times financially and against a trend of rising unemployment, amongst young people in particular, this job shop is hugely needed.

“It’s a fantastic collaboration in the city and is a ‘win-win’ situation for both job-seekers and employers.

“City Skills & Jobs is a much-needed bridge over this ‘unmarked field of landmines’ and I hope is successful for all involved.”

Phil Frier, Principal of City College, added: “City Skills & Jobs’ highly visible, accessible location along with its website and social media presence will make it very immediate to young people and I really think they’ll appreciate what a vital resource it can be for them.”

The College’s key partners in City Skills & Jobs are BrightonandHoveJobs.com, Albion in the Community’s ‘Want to Work’ project and Brighton & Hove City Council.

Part-funded by ERDF via the Interreg 2seas GAPS project, the shop will also be linked closely to Brighton & Hove Chamber of Commerce, Jobcentre Plus and American Express.

Cllr Sue Shanks, Cabinet Member for Children & Young People, said: “We are delighted to be a partner in this important project to support some of our most hard-pressed residents.

“The City Skills and Jobs shop promises an accessible and user friendly approach so this should make a big contribution towards helping Brighton & Hove people find the training and jobs they need to get on in life.”

Donna Keenan, City College’s managing director of City Business Skills, added: “Our main aim for City Skills & Jobs is to provide a fun, friendly, supportive environment, particularly for unemployed 16 to 24-year-olds, which will lead to work experience, training and job opportunities

“This is a genuine one-stop-shop with a joined-up approach and a cohesive offer for the individual so that people don’t need to be directed to various different places to get the advice, support and opportunities that they need.

“It’s essentially about City College working in partnership with our partners for the good of the local community.”

For more information on City Skills & Jobs, call 01273 667770 or email advice@cityskillsandjobs.co.uk.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Tom Keighley .