§ The Secretary of State for Work and Pensions (Mr. Andrew Smith)From September this year, Jobcenter Plus, in partnership with the National Health Service and the Learning and Skills Council, will begin a pilot on Merseyside of "Ambition: Health". This new initiative will provide local workless people with the skills for good jobs in the NHS. Those who gain employment as a result will receive further support and training to gain qualifications and a sound basis for career progression.
"Ambition: Health" will be the fifth of the Ambition programmes to be developed by the National Employment Panel and delivered by Jobcenter Plus. It joins programmes in the energy, construction, retail and IT sectors, which have directly involved employers in the design of high quality training, preparing participants specifically for their vacancies.
Preparations are under way for a second pilot in South Yorkshire, to follow early in the New Year. Jobcenter Plus is examining the feasibility of further local pilots to be launched during 2005.