Job centres across Kent are recruiting new work coaches to help get people back into employment and drive forward the Covid-19 economic recovery.

More than 260 roles are being created as part of the last leg of the Department for Work and Pension's recruitment drive.

It aims to enlist 9,000 additional work coaches nationwide by the end of March 2021 who will be tasked with providing job seekers with expert mentoring and job support.

Applications for the latest roles are open from today in Folkestone, Maidstone, Chatham, Tonbridge, Sheerness, Sittingbourne, Ramsgate, Margate, Dartford, Gravesend, Ashford and Canterbury, and will close on Wednesday, December 16.

The department is doubling the number of work coach roles in response to job centre demand created by the pandemic.

Mims Davies MP, Minister for Employment said: “Any work coach will tell you just how rewarding their job is. Helping someone back into work is really fulfilling and knowing the positive difference you’ve made to someone’s life is a real boost.

“If you’re looking for a new challenge and want to support your community, put yourself forward for what is a crucial role at the forefront of the UK’s economic recovery.”

New recruits will provide personal, tailored support for job seekers who are looking to get going with a new career or to move on from a struggling sector.

Along with helping people improve their CV, interview and job search skills, work coaches also help arrange more "structured support".

This includes the government's £2 billion Kickstart scheme which puts young people receiving benefits first in line for new, high quality, six-month roles provided by employers from all sectors.

The placements give them a wage for the duration and the chance to build their experience and professional networks.

A £238 million JETS programme has also been announced targeting those out of work for three months with a range of help from expert providers, including specialist advice on how people can move into growing sectors.

A mixture of work experience and training through Sector-based Work Academy Programmes, which received a £17 million funding boost this summer, also aims to help people move into new sectors.

At the outset of the pandemic in March, the number of people in Kent claiming unemployment benefits shot up by almost 75% in a month.

Since then it has decreased a little bit but the situation is still far bleaker than before lockdown.

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