The Recruitment & Employment Confederation (REC) and Jobcentre Plus have agreed a Memorandum of Understanding.

This partnership agreement sees the REC and Jobcentre Plus pledge to work together in the following areas:

• To support people back into work by providing help and best opportunities for training and jobs
• Increase awareness of the benefits of a diverse workforce by supplying employers with clear guidance and access to the widest range of people seeking work
• Act as champions to oppose discrimination and challenge unfair employment policies
• Share knowledge and expertise on the best ways of helping jobseekers return to work

REC chief executive Kevin Green says: “The partnership between the REC and Jobcentre Plus has already been a great success over the past two years - it has helped tens of thousands of people get back into work. More can be done to harness the expertise of private sector recruiters and the REC is committed to working with government to explore new opportunities. There has never been a more important time for public and private sector employment services to work together, and the new memorandum will help to take this to the next stage.“

Jobcentre Plus chief executive Darra Singh adds:  “The partnership between Jobcentre Plus and REC has been a real success - offering unemployed professionals the opportunity to access support from specialist recruitment agencies. Our priority at Jobcentre Plus is to ensure that people get the right support to get back to work quickly, which is why I am delighted to be strengthening our partnership with renewed impetus.”