GALASHIELS, Hawick & Eyemouth Jobcentres are supporting local employers across the Scottish Borders by running a number of sector related courses.

To support recruitment opportunities in the Hospitality and Retail sectors they are running a Hospitality and Customer Service course in partnership with Lowland Training.

The course is due to start In October and offers candidates the opportunity to get a range of certified training including – Emergency First Aid at Work, Level 2 Food Safety, Health & Safety in the Workplace, Level 2 Customer Service as well as Employability Support and the opportunity of a placement with a local employer.

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With several very large construction projects in the Borders the job centres continue to promote this sector.

And they are currently running a Construction course which started in September which enables candidates to secure - Construction Skills Site Safety (CSCS) - test and card, IOSH or CITB Site Safety Plus, Health and Safety Awareness, Emergency First Aid at Work, Manual Handling & Working at Heights.

On completion of the course the training provider will link applicants with construction companies to help them secure employment opportunities in this sector.

The next Construction course is planned to start in November.

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Also to support Scottish Public Pensions Agency recruitment drive for their office in Tweedbank job centres ran an I.T / Admin course in partnership with Direct Partners.

The course which started in September gave 12 customers dedicated support and employability advice in competency-based learning to support them through the Scottish Government recruitment process.

All 12 participants successfully completed the course and are participating in the recruitment process.

Mike Niven partnership manager for the Scottish Borders said: “With the festive season fast approaching the hospitality industry is working with Jobcentre Plus to fill thousands of jobs.

“Importantly our dedicated online hospitality section means there is 24-hour information for jobseekers.

“Jobcentre work coaches are focussed on helping employers get the people they and the economy needs, regularly hosting hospitality specific recruitment events. Many even offer jobs on the spot.

“Our ‘Find a Job’ website, a DWP portal, signposts claimants to jobs, where 11,000 jobs alone are available in hospitality and catering.”

‘From job opportunities in jobcentres to skills academies for people considering a new career, there’s a huge amount of help available, and our work coaches are working tirelessly to get people at any age, or career stage, into rewarding and stable employment.”

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Scottish Secretary Alister Jack said: “The best way to continue growing our economy in the long-term is to get even more people into well-paid, highly-skilled jobs as we know that people are better off in work than on benefits.

“However, we also know people are worried right now about the rising cost of living and that’s why we’re providing the most vulnerable households with an extra £1200 of direct support through our £37bn package of support, while continuing to help all households with their bills.

“Alongside this, the UK Government continues to drive forward investment in communities to create and support jobs, helping level up opportunity from our biggest towns and cities to our most remote villages.”