JOBCENTRE co-ordinators said 2017 had got off to a good start, with various vacancies and opportunities for claimants to “overcome any barriers they may have and get into sustainable employment”.

Jobcentre Plus employer adviser Hazel Prior said that there were currently 325 people claiming key out-of-work benefits in East Hampshire (total population 117,483).

This puts the district at the top of the rankings - 628th out of 650 constituencies - making it an area with some of the lowest claimant rates in the country.

Ms Prior outlined the number of ways job seekers can get help.

Radian is offering those who are interested in a career in construction the chance the gain a free CSCS card (Construction Skills Certification Scheme). This five-day course will be held at Mill Chase Academy, in Bordon, and is suitable for those with no experience.

It will cover health and safety and City and Guilds construction level one, and will provide mock papers to give attendees a taste of their exams. Booking for this free course is essential by calling Lucy Counter, who can give more information, on 01425 485008.

Apprenticeships are also on offer, according to Ms Prior.

Bordon residents, aged 16 to 24, looking for an apprenticeship, are in luck. For those who are “eager to earn, able to work on their own initiative and ambitious “this is the perfect apprenticeship”, she said.

The role is with a company in Oakhanger, which is offering a 12-month apprenticeship in information technology. The company sells and supports computer systems, custom-built workstations, servers and storage solutions. Throughout the duration of the apprenticeship, the apprentice will attend the 3aaa Technology Academy in Guildford on day release and will work towards a level-three Advanced Apprenticeship for IT, software, web and telecoms professionals. This is a full-time apprenticeship of 37.5 hours per week. Applicants should ideally have a minimum of four GCSEs, of grade C and above, including maths, English and information communication technology (ICT) or equivalent.

“We have another company also in Bordon offering a 15-month apprenticeship to a 16 to 24 year old,” Ms Prior added.

“They are looking for someone interested in working for a specialist computer technology company. The company provides its clients with IT-support and associated services needed to run their business and is looking for a budding IT technical support engineer.”

For more information on either of these apprenticeships in Oakhanger and Bordon, email mark

She also urged people interested in customer-service positions to check job listings.

“I have been working closely with Enterprise Rent-a-Car, whose offices are in central Aldershot and employ approximately 400 staff,” she added. “The jobs are mainly telephone and customer-service based roles, and are full time and part time, as well as home-working roles.”

For those with IT skills who want to refresh or improve, training provider Hill McManus, based in East Sussex, is offering a free level-one Certificate in IT User Skills with a course in Alton. This would be suitable for anyone looking to improve their skills or prove them to prospective employers. The course runs for 10 days and is being held at the Alton House Hotel.

* For information about any of these courses or opportunities, call Hazel Prior, at Jobcentre Plus, on 01252 356511.