Councillor Graham Newman and local Jobcentre Plus' Sandra Crawley have signed up to work together to help people back into work. Councillor Newman said:

"Suffolk County Council is very keen to play a pivotal role in this initiative, especially in the present difficult financial circumstances, with its potential for turmoil in local employment markets.

With all Suffolk councils, we have committed ourselves to prioritising support to families and firms affected by recession. We have already taken measures to help limit the damage caused by unemployment, and the action following from this agreement will help many people get back into work."

The agreement commits Suffolk County Council, as a large employer in the county, to:

> Offering work trials for an agreed number of potential recruits

> Offering a target number of places for disadvantaged jobless people to take up work experience, work placement or other initiatives that lead to jobs.

> Work with Jobcentre Plus to offer pre-employment training

> Guaranteeing jobs to people who complete the training and/or meet agreed job requirements

> Encourage our staff to volunteer to offer one-to-one mentoring for potential recruits to help them prepare for jobs.

> Make sure our application forms and other procedures are as simple and relevant as possible

> Consider positively people's needs for flexible working

Offering further training after people start working here

Sandra Crawley, external relations manager at Suffolk Jobcentre Plus, said:

"We are delighted that Suffolk County Council has signed up to the Local Employment Partnership. As such a large employer in the county, they will make a significant contribution themselves to getting people back into work, and through working with contractors they use, the council will have a wider impact."