Westfield local jobs boost
by Hammersmith and Fulham Press Office
12/12/2008
Local residents are making the most of the jobs bonanza created by the new Westfield mega-mall according to a recent probe.
In a snap shot survey of 42 Westfield stores, retailers reported that more than 271 jobs, out of 2,266, have gone to H&F residents. The data received so far also shows 46 per cent of Westfield jobs went to west London borough residents.
Debenhams is leading the charge in employing local people having recruited 74 H&F residents out of 367 jobs available at the anchor store.
By the time the mall is fully open in the summer of 2009 an estimated 7,000 jobs will have been created inside Europe’s biggest inner city shopping centre.
Many are putting the positive results down to the groundbreaking employment partnership – White City Works – which was established by the council to ensure that local jobseekers are best placed to snap up the jobs on offer.
Cllr Stephen Greenhalgh, H&F Council Leader, said: “We have done everything possible to get as many local jobseekers into the jobs created by Westfield London. Over 1,500 local residents have taken advantage of pre-employment training given to them to get a foot on the employment ladder of opportunity. We are on track to deliver 1,000 jobs for H&F residents.”
White City Works (WCW) partnership includes: Job Centre Plus; Ealing, Hammersmith & West London College, Westfield London and Tendis, a local job support organisation. WCW has hosted recruitment days, held a major jobs fair as well as community based workshops and information sessions. Big names including Debenhams, M&S, Next, Waitrose, Boots, Zara, Swarovski, New Look and Superdrug have all been involved.
Local job-seekers are being helped with pre-employment training including interview skills and application form filling.
The good news for local jobseekers comes in the same month that traders and stallholders around Shepherds Bush Green reported a ‘Westfield bounce’ boosting footfall by up to 30 per cent in some cases.
For job details visit: www.whitecityworks.co.uk
