Today (20 APR), a campaign launched by the Leeds City Region Enterprise Partnership (LEP) in partnership with the West Yorkshire Combined Authority, aims to reassure new job seekers and businesses that help is available and to get in touch with their local Employment Hub for free impartial support.

Despite the economic turmoil caused by Covid-19, it is believed there are a wide range of job vacancies currently available within Leeds City Region and businesses are fighting to keep up with the new demands and challenges brought to them since the global pandemic hit the UK in February 2020.

In response to this, the Employment Hub, an existing £9million European funded programme delivered by the LEP along with nine delivery partners, has been swiftly adapted to match jobseekers to opportunities across the region.

Now, any individual or business is eligible to use the Employment Hub if they live or their business is based in Bradford, Calderdale, Craven, Harrogate, Kirklees, Leeds, Selby, Wakefield or York.

The wide range of jobs roles being currently advertised across the city region include health care workers and support staff, chefs, software technicians, call handlers, transport co-ordinators, web developers, drivers, project managers and many more.

Many employers are offering roles where employees can work from home, making roles more accessible to those who are self-isolating or with family members who are at a higher risk,

Cllr Susan Hinchcliffe, Chair of the West Yorkshire Combined Authority and Leader of Bradford Council, said:

“In such a short time, Covid-19 has had a fast, but destructive, impact on the futures of businesses and their employees, creating an incredibly anxious time for individuals and an uncertain economic outlook for our region: but there are also new opportunities and gaps in the resourcing our workforce needs now to get through the crisis and plan for recovery. 

"This extraordinary situation is difficult for everyone, so the Employment Hub (which we already operate successfully with all nine Leeds City Region Local Authorities) has been adapted to cope with this new situation. The hub will fulfil a need for the thousands of Leeds City Region jobseekers to successfully access great opportunities, and should be a destination for the region’s employers who need to find good people who, through no fault of their own, are now available on the market.”

A range of support packages have been adapted to respond to the new employment needs of both individuals and businesses here in Leeds City Region.

Job seekers can access the following support:

• One-to-one careers support
• Be matched to local job vacancies
• Speak to a careers adviser who understands the employment needs of the job seekers local area

Job seekers are encouraged to visit futuregoals.co.uk/careers-support and complete a quick online form. From here an adviser from their local Employment Hub will be in touch to offer free tailored support.

Businesses can access the following support:

• Find new employees through the Employment Hub talent matching service
• Access support for employees who are at risk of or facing redundancy
• Gain support to hire a new apprentice

Businesses are encouraged to visit the-lep.com/employment-hub and complete a quick online form where a business engagement officer from their local hub will be in touch to offer free impartial support.

For more information and to arrange a discussion with an adviser businesses can visit the-lep.com/employment-hub and job seekers can visit futuregoals.co.uk/careers-support

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Notes to editors

• The Leeds City Region Enterprise Partnership works with the West Yorkshire Combined Authority to help businesses in our region grow and become more productive.
• The Combined Authority works in partnership with local councils and businesses to ensure that everyone in our region benefits from a strong, successful economy and a modern, accessible transport network. By championing the region’s interests nationally and internationally, we secure the investment to deliver better transport and housing, help businesses to grow and create jobs. 
• We want our region to be recognised globally as a strong, successful economy where everyone can build great businesses, careers and lives.
• For more information visit www.westyorks-ca.gov.uk.