Job seeking service to launch in borough's libraries

4.54.07pm BST (GMT +0100) Mon 21st Apr 2008

• A FREE service to help people find jobs will be launched in the borough's libraries this month.

The new scheme, called Information, Advice and Guidance (IAG), is being run by Richmond Council in partnership with career advice agency Nextstep South London. Advisors will conduct confidential, one-to-one meetings providing information on employment opportunities, how to gain a qualification or learn a new skill. During pre-booked sessions they can also help with CVs, application forms and interview skills. The service is open to anybody over 20 and particularly targets those who have few or no qualifications and the long term unemployed. The advisors will visit Richmond and Twickenham lending libraries fortnightly and Whitton, Heathfield, East Sheen and Ham libraries once every four weeks.

Cllr John Coombs, Cabinet Member for Youth, Culture and Leisure on Richmond Council, said: "It can be difficult for people looking for work, who don't have any qualifications or who have been unemployed for some time, to know where to start. The advisors are there to help with this. They will provide expert information on job opportunities and how to gain new skills and qualifications to help people find the right job for them. This is a superb initiative and I encourage people to take advantage of it."