Despite launching an extensive advertising campaign, recruiters say that Jobcentre Plus will have to do more if it is to improve its services to employers.

Jobcentre Plus launched the campaign entitled ‘It pays to work more employers to use its “free vacancy advertising and recruitment service”. The campaign comes after research carried out by Jobcentre Plus in June revealed that only two out of five UK employers “have a relationship with” the government agency. The campaign features adverts in national, regional and business press.

One of the services Jobcentre Plus is marketing is a £1,000 payment to employers who take on people who have been on Jobseeker’s Allowance for more than six months.

However, Gary Franklin, talent acquisition manager at IT computer security and software company Symantec, told Recruiter that the prospect of £1,000 wouldn’t make any difference to the company’s recruitment. “I can imagine that the incentive of £1,000 would appeal to small businesses, but for larger companies like ourselves, we would always look for the best people rather than be influenced by this sort of incentive,” he said.

I can imagine that the incentive of £1,000 would appeal to small businesses, but for larger companies like ourselves, we would always look for the best people rather than be influenced by this sort of incentive

And despite the advertising campaign, Franklin added that he didn’t really know what the Jobcentre offered employers. “You have to ask if it is being marketed correctly,” he said.

Stephen Pearce, a director of finance recruiter Kennedy Pearce Consultancy, said the reason why Jobcentre Plus struggled to attract employers was “probably perception” that its candidates had been out of work for a long time. “The longer they have been out of work the less employable they become,” he said.

“If you are looking for a finance director you are not going to go to Jobcentre Plus, but you might for a junior role. People want to employ the best person, so whether you have to pay a fee or whether it is free is irrelevant - that’s the way it is,” said Pearce.

A Department for Work and Pensions spokesperson told Recruiter: “We are continuing to advertise 70,000 jobs every single working day, even during the current downturn; 70% of people come off Jobseeker’s Allowance within six months due to the support we give them, and we are working closely with employers to make sure we provide the best support to prepare them [those receiving benefits] for the workplace.”