Jim McGonigle, Jobcentre Plus district manager for Lanarkshire and East Dunbartonshire, and David Collie, district manager for Jobcentre Plus Glasgow, visited the new Tesco store at Rutherglen today, Wednesday 7 November.
They met representatives from Tesco as they signed up to the Government�s Local Employment Partnership programme, pledging jobs for the long term unemployed and those at a disadvantage in the jobs market - such as lone parents and people with a disability or health condition wanting to return to work.

As part of this recruitment exercise over 100 long-term unemployed customers  were successfully recruited to Tesco�s workforce at Rutherglen.  Jim and David  spoke with and congratulated these customers, going on to emphasise their commitment  and the successful partnership working demonstrated by all agencies concerned.

Jim McGonigle said:
�Our Local Employment Partnership initiative makes robust proposals aimed at especially helping lone parents, people with ill-health and disabled people into sustainable employment by providing pre-employment support and job opportunities.

�Commitment from employers is a key part of this programme, who are pledging to open job opportunities for up to 250,000 people nationally currently on benefit in return for additional support from Jobcentre Plus and other agencies.�

A local man to benefit from the Local Employment Partnership is Alexander (Sandy) McKenzie (53). Sandy had been unemployed for over 8 years, principally due to health issues, but was encouraged by his local adviser at Rutherglen Jobcentre to apply for a position at the new Tesco store. He was also advised at this stage to consult closely with his own doctor and specialist counsellor regarding the appropriateness of this step forward.

After successfully passing the initial interview with Tesco he started on the 6 week pre-employment training course run by the Wise Group. This was supplemented by practical training at the Milngavie branch of Tesco.

Sandy said:
�I feel that this experience has improved my outlook on life and I can testify to the fact that my general health has improved since I started work. I really appreciated the help, advice and support given by my Jobcentre Plus adviser, this has made going back to work much easier.� 

Mark Russell, Tesco store manager at Rutherglen, said:
�We are delighted with the help that Jobcentre Plus and the other partner organisations involved have given us during our recent recruitment exercise and are pleased to be involved in the Local Employment Partnership initiative at a local level. This will help us tap into the skills of local people and create a diverse workforce which mirrors the customers we serve.�

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