The North of Tyne Combined Authority’s (NTCA) £1.5 million COVID-19 Capacity Fund has funded Newcastle City Council’s Skills Hub scheme.
The jobs@skillshub scheme provides a new job match service for local employers with jobseekers to help them fill roles quickly. Under the council-backed scheme, specialist job advisors will use their database of job seekers, to match up the skills needed for employment opportunities, to help fill vacancies quickly and reduce unemployment across Newcastle.
Newcastle City Council are urging local businesses to sign up to this new employment scheme to help get local people into work. The scheme, funded by the NTCA’s £1.5 million COVID-19 Capacity Fund, aims to be a one-stop-shop for employers looking to fill vacancies quickly with people looking for work by having an up-to-date database of job opportunities across the city, as well as providing training, information and advice for people looking to move into new sectors.
Cllr Joyce McCarty
North of Tyne Cabinet Member for Employability and Inclusion and deputy leader of Newcastle City Council Cllr Joyce McCarty said about the COVID-19 Capacity Fund: “With this additional funding, we will be able to widen the scope of our response, whilst continuing to work hard to ensure as many organisations as possible are able to access government’s financial assistance schemes. A blanket approach to how best to support communities and businesses wouldn’t solve local issues or make the best use of existing expertise. In Newcastle we want to focus on the needs of each individual organisations, connect with the people behind the business and provide support tailored to them. We want this funding to make a difference to the individuals, their business and employees.
“Newcastle is a great city, and will continue to be a great city. With a strong partnership approach, we will reach out to businesses and provide guidance and support; support our voluntary sector who help those in greatest need; help people who have lost their jobs secure new roles; and revitalise our city centre and local high streets.”
Cabinet member for employment and culture at Newcastle City Council, Cllr Ged Bell, said: “We’ve seen a steep rise in unemployment across the city, with more job losses expected with the furlough scheme set to close at the end of October, so we need to have support in place to help people with fast access to job opportunities. We are urging all local employers to advertise your job vacancies with us and let us find the right people for your roles – saving you time, effort and money. Our specialist advisors will find people with the skills that your business needs, matching local people to local jobs.
“Our offer of support is much more than this, we will also help to train and upskills workers and provide businesses with tailored support and advice, to help businesses succeed and grow – ultimately helping the city recover from the pandemic. Whether your business is large or small, by working with us, we can help support the people of Newcastle through these challenging times together.”
With unemployment figures for the city at around 16,000, the council has developed a range of services to support businesses and people looking for work including administering £62 million in business support grants, providing training and tailored business advice.
Employers are urged to sign up at www.skillshubnewcastle.co.uk to create an account and add your vacancy or call us on 0191 580 6601 if you would like to talk to one of our team.