Mayor launches match-making service for job seekers and local businesses to help people move into new roles

The Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority, led by Mayor James Palmer, has today launched a new digital platform to match job seekers with new roles and businesses with the right staff. The Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Talent Portal is a digital ‘match making’ service for people seeking new employment and businesses looking for employees.

To ensure the Portal reaches the right people, the Combined Authority has teamed up with a range of partners to help deliver it including the Department of Work and Pensions, young people’s charity the Prince’s Trust, social enterprise Form the Future, the Federation of Small Businesses, a Skills Support programme run by Serco, National Careers Service, Opportunity Peterborough and Cambridge Regional College.

People across Cambridgeshire and Peterborough can access the Talent Portal to advertise their skills and expertise, search for jobs and contact potential employers.  Local businesses can go on and identify people with the necessary skills to enable their business to operate during this difficult time.

The Combined Authority will play a coordinating role, matching local businesses with the right staff and local people in need of employment with new positions, helping Cambridgeshire and Peterborough build economic resilience in this challenging time.

These latest announcements are part of a suite of support that the Combined Authority are targeting towards local businesses to help build economic resilience across the region.

“Just as this week I will be clapping for the many hardworking NHS and care workers up and down the country, I will also applaud this initiative to help job seekers and businesses across Cambridgeshire and Peterborough adapt and excel in the face of COVID 19.

“I have seen first-hand the dynamism of local people and businesses alike and their determination to pick themselves up, dust themselves off and find new ways to succeed.

“It is a privilege to be able to do something to help.  I am confident this new online job matching service will be a great resource for businesses and job seekers across the region who are bravely seeking new opportunities in this challenging time.”

Businesses across Cambridgeshire and Peterborough have adapted the way they operate in response to COVID 19 and, as a result, many require new staff with different expertise.  For example, farmers who are looking to recruit thousands of pickers from the UK to harvest crops because of the restrictions in movement due to the virus and supermarkets who now need more delivery drivers as more people are shopping online.

We also know that employers operating in critical sectors including health and care need more employees now than before to help keep the country running.

At the same time, many people across Cambridgeshire and Peterborough have found themselves out of work because of COVID 19 and are looking to enter new industries and take up new roles.

This includes those who have made been redundant, the self-employed who are not eligible for support or who can’t access funding until June, people who have been furloughed from their usual employment, University students returning home with no job and sixth form students who had summer jobs lined up which have now fallen through.

“The talent portal is an excellent initiative and collaboration to support our region both during and post Covid-19.  Post Covid-19 as the country returns to normal, there will be many in our region who will need support. The portal will help match those seeking work with those looking to recruit.  Skills will be at the forefront in getting our economy back on track and Cambridge Regional College is supporting the portal by promoting our employability courses now to ensure that those looking for work will have the skills and will be ready to access new opportunities immediately.”

“Form the Future is thrilled to be part of the Combined Authority’s Talent Portal. At a time when many businesses are having to adapt in response to COVID-19, and many people are on the lookout for new opportunities, we’re excited to be able to offer our services to support those who need them.”

“Our economy is facing unprecedented disruption at the moment so Opportunity Peterborough and The Skills Service are proud to be a part of the Talent Portal launch. This will be a step change for businesses that need talented staff as they adapt their business models, whilst providing residents with a centralised, comprehensive hub where they can secure employment.”