Exeter Chamber's new communications series, The Director's Take, will see a different Chamber board director providing regular updates and insight on leading news stories for business each month. This month, Laura McFadyen, Chamber board director and partner specialising in Employment Law and HR at Stephens Scown Solicitors will give us her take.
This week’s Directors Take from Laura McFadyen, Chamber board director and partner at Stephens Scown Solicitors:
New employment programme JETS launched by Government
The Government has today launched an employment programme to support those out of work. Jobseekers will be offered coaching and advice on moving into “growing sectors” as part of the scheme.
JETS (Job Entry Targeted Support) is backed by a £238 million investment and is dedicated to supporting those left jobless due to Covid-19.
Targeting those out of work for three months, JETS will see the Department for Work and Pensions ramp up support for claimants to ensure those put forward for the scheme have access to tailored, flexible support to quickly get back into employment. The new programme will see a number of providers offer a range of help, including specialist advice on how people can move into growing sectors, as well as CV and interview coaching.
The programme will also give job hunters the boost they need to return to employment through an action plan agreed with their personal Work Coach, peer support and opportunities to build their skills.
Laura said, “We are pleased to see the DWP offering more support for job seekers, at this critical time and will be promoting this scheme to our members to help ensure word gets to the people that need it. Concurrently Exeter Chamber is working on a number of projects to support employment opportunities, the most significant being Exeter Works, a joint project with Exeter Council. Exeter Works is a website for anyone looking for a new job, searching for training opportunities or to improve interview skills, helping individuals and businesses shape their future employment plans with support and advice from a community of Greater Exeter’s businesses and organisations. Launching later this month, people can register their interest now at exeterworks.org
In addition Exeter Chamber is working with InExeter and Exeter City Council to identify businesses who would like to apply to the Kick Start Employment scheme. The national scheme seeks to help young people currently on Universal Credit to find paid work placements and will run for the next 18 months.
We are also pleased to see the University of Exeter launching fully funded virtual internships for 70 hours, open to businesses across the region. We hope that this will do more to create employment.”
Read more about the scheme: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/nation-s-job-hunt-jets-off
Skilled job creation at Exeter Airport
There was positive news for Exeter Airport this weekend with the announcement of high-tech Irish company Dublin Aerospace Group taking up residency in Exeter Airport.
Dublin Aerospace have the opportunity regenerate the aviation industry in the South West by creating Exeter Aerospace at the former Flybe Maintenance Services area.
In time Exeter Aerospace plans six aircraft overhaul bays as well as support shops and test facilities. The company is now recruiting to fill 100 roles and over the next three to four years wants to have over 250 aviation professionals working at Exeter Aerospace. It will work with Exeter College on apprenticeships too.
Laura said, “This is such positive news for both the Exeter Airport and the wider city in general. The proposed skilled job creation numbers are something which will be greatly welcomed in the area. It is reported that Dublin Aerospace plans to host aircraft engineering apprenticeships and mechanic traineeship programmes in partnership with Exeter College – a positive replacement for the partnership Flybe previously had with Exeter students. “
