Pictured above: Leamington Spa and Warwick MP Chris White

Warwickshire MP Chris White will discuss ways of tackling unemployment when he meets jobseekers and employment experts during a fact-finding visit.

The Conservative MP for Leamington Spa and Warwick will hear first-hand the difficulties facing local unemployed people who are searching for work and learn more about the wide range of support initiatives that are available. Pertemps People Development Group (PPDG) will welcome Mr White to its offices at Bath Place Community Centre, the Old Library, York Road, at 8.30am on Friday, October 8.

PPDG has helped more than 100,000 people in Warwickshire and across the Midlands end their unemployment ordeals by either clinching new jobs with local companies or launching their own businesses. PPDG delivers Government-funded initiatives such as Flexible New Deal (FND) and Work Focused Training in the region.

Mr White will be welcomed by Gareth Edwards, managing director of Pertemps Learning and Education Alliance, and Glenys Crombie, site manager for PPDG's offices in Leamington Spa, Rugby and Stratford-upon-Avon. Discussions will also focus on Prime Minister David Cameron's Big Society plan. Its aims include giving communities more power, supporting social enterprises, unleashing entrepreneurial spirit, and providing more help for the poorest families.

PPDG delivers the Government's Welfare to Work strategy across the Midlands through Flexible New Deal, Work Focused Training and other employment initiatives. PPDG is using its vast experience of helping long-term unemployed people get back into work to help local jobseekers secure employment opportunities.

Mr White said: "Working to bring jobs back to the area was one of my key campaign pledges and there are many organisations that play a big part in that effort locally. I am looking forward to the visit and learning more about the work that they do in getting people back into employment."

Mr Edwards said: "We are delighted that Chris has agreed to come along to meet our team and our customers.  We are looking forward to sharing our thoughts on local unemployment issues and demonstrating how we transform people's lives through delivering a wide range of employment support services, from building confidence, improving motivation, preparing CVs, working on interview techniques, providing opportunities, improving qualifications and more.  

"The current economic climate means that finding employment can be a daunting challenge, and sadly it is one that many people find too difficult to overcome. That is why it is more important than ever that people take advantage of the invaluable support that is available to jobseekers.

"Our team of employment coaches has many years' experience of successfully helping people find sustainable employment. We are determined to have a major impact in Leamington Spa, Coventry and across Warwickshire by finding that spark of brilliance in every one of our customers and getting them back into work."

PPDG's team of experienced employment experts works alongside jobseekers and local employers to match the most suitable applicants to the jobs that are available. Support for customers includes advice on CVs, improving interview techniques, increasing confidence, providing access to training and much more.

PPDG works in partnership with Jobcentre Plus and other organisations, to deliver employment and training initiatives including Flexible New Deal, Work Focused Training, Employment Zone, Lone Parent mentoring, and Learndirect training programmes. More than 100,000 job seekers have been helped into sustained employment by the company since the projects began.  It has trained 130,000 people in vocational skills, and over 175,000 people have benefitted from professional information, advice and guidance services.