Recruiters  have a crucial role in helping people back into work, a government minister has told Recruiter.

Speaking after a hospitality, leisure and tourism industry event in London yesterday, Jim Knight, minister of state for employment and welfare reform said: “Recruitment agencies are crucial partners for us, they are really important. They  can provide the niche skills in areas that the that Jobcentre Plus does not have.”

Knight says that temporary work has a vital role to play  in restoring confidence to people who have been out of work, and help them develop their communication skills. ‘This is really useful for the individual, the government and ultimately the industry.”

Knight’s comments came after an event highlighting how the government is working with employers in the hospitality, leisure and tourism sector to boost skills, and help the long-term unemployed take advantage of opportunities in it.