The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) is testing a mobile job support initiative to help more people back into work in regions with high levels of unemployment and economic inactivity. The scheme, currently being trialled in parts of England, Wales, and Scotland, aims to reach those struggling to access traditional employment support services.
The ‘jobcentre on wheels’ initiative will bring experienced work coaches directly to the heart of communities, offering job search assistance, training opportunities, and support for people with health conditions or disabilities. The move is part of the government’s broader efforts to reduce economic inactivity and ensure more people have access to employment opportunities.
Reaching Communities with High Unemployment
The DWP has deployed mobile jobcentres in areas where unemployment is significantly higher than the national average. According to the department, one in three people in Bolton is currently classed as inactive. To bridge this gap, mobile jobcentres have been stationed at family hubs, retail car parks, and even places of worship, providing a more accessible route for individuals seeking employment support.
One of these vans recently set up at Bolton Wanderers Football Club, engaging directly with fans and local residents. The initiative is expected to play a key role in reducing barriers to employment, particularly for those who may struggle with transport or have other limitations preventing them from visiting a traditional jobcentre.
The trial has so far been rolled out in Bolton, Flintshire, Denbighshire, and Wrexham, with further plans to extend the service to Scotland, including Moray and the Highlands. The DWP stated that these vans are “performing a vital service in breaking down barriers to opportunity and bringing expertise and support straight into communities that need it most.”
Support for Jobseekers and People with Health Conditions
Each mobile jobcentre is staffed with experienced work coaches, who provide tailored advice on job searching, training opportunities, and skills development. According to the DWP, they also offer information on financial support, including childcare costs for parents returning to work.
Crucially, the initiative also aims to assist individuals with health conditions or disabilities, offering guidance on how to re-enter the workforce or access suitable training. The government has framed the initiative as part of its wider employment reforms, designed to ensure that more people, regardless of their circumstances, have the opportunity to secure stable work.
Employment Minister Alison McGovern has emphasised the importance of this project, stating: “For too long, people have been denied the opportunity of securing a good job and getting on in their career. Under our major employment reforms, we want to see everyone, in every corner of the country, become better off.”
Meanwhile, the Labour Party has proposed its own approach through the ‘Get Britain Working’ White Paper, which calls for an overhaul of jobcentres and a Youth Guarantee, ensuring that all young people aged 18 to 21 are either earning or learning.
