WorkZone helps hundreds of people find new jobs in H&F every year.

The team, based in Shepherds Bush Library, Westfield, offers life-changing support and opportunities. They include access to courses designed by WorkZone to develop people’s careers and a partnership with Westfield where 8,000 jobs are being created this spring.

“We want to make Hammersmith & Fulham the best place in Europe to live work and, socialise,” said Cllr Andrew Jones, Cabinet Member for Economic Development and Regeneration.

“Helping people find the careers they want and progress in them is a key part of that, and there is no better place to start than WorkZone.”

Turning the tide on unemployment – Alan’s story

Alan Thirtle loves his job on the Thames Tideway Tunnel project but says he never would have got there without the help of H&F’s WorkZone.

Alan, a former painter and decorator, is based at the Carnwath Road Riverside works site in Fulham, driving a van there and at other Tideway sites in West London.

“I love it,” said Alan of Sands End.

“I had always been a painter and decorator but thought it was time for a change.”

When Alan found himself unemployed he was directed to a course created by H&F WorkZone. The two-week course run by City of Westminster College gave Alan the qualifications he needed and the chance to meet his employer.

“I’ve been driving all my life and I’m really grateful to have been given the opportunity to go on the course for free,” he said.

“I’m over the moon with the job and it’s only a short walk from my house.”

Hammersmith & Fulham Council funds the courses and other schemes to get people into work by using money which is negotiated from developers when they are granted planning permission.

Pop-in to WorkZone for one-to-one support

Dedicated one-to-one advisors can help you apply for local jobs, prepare for interviews, get training, and can offer debt and benefits advice.

You’ll also get access to vacancies (including at major companies and household brands), apprenticeships, and training schemes across H&F.

Working at Westfield – WorkZone can help you beat the competition

We’ve teamed up with Westfield giving you the chance to be first through the door when interviews for new roles come up.

Many of the businesses have agreed to advertise exclusively with WorkZone for a short period when vacancies first come up.

Since opening in 2008, Westfield has created more than 12,000 new jobs. Many have enabled people to build long-term careers.

They include Hammersmith resident and former Phoenix High School pupil, Maria Davis Shiniou.

She found work as a concierge at the shopping centre eight years ago and she is now the concierge operations manager and responsible for a team of 50 people.

“When I joined Westfield it was my first real job but it’s turned into a full career,” she said.

“There are so many different opportunities here and with the expansion these will continue to grow.”

Are you an employer? WorkZone can help for free, by:

•    Advertising vacancies
•    Screening applicants for you
•    Providing a pool of job-ready candidates
•    Providing training, meeting rooms and other facilities.

How we’re making H&F a great place for businesses and employees

WorkZone is key to our efforts to boost prosperity in Hammersmith & Fulham which we are working to ensure benefits all residents and businesses, not just the few.

Other work includes:

• Our industrial strategy – a ground-breaking partnership with Imperial College London to boost enterprise, innovation, skills and infrastructure.
• Our partnership with Westfield to help local people get the training and qualifications they need. It includes helping residents apply for the 8,000 new jobs created by the shopping centre’s expansion this Spring.
• Our annual Brilliant Business Awards championing the work of local traders.
• Our traffic-free markets in Lyric Square, Hammersmith, and North End Road, Fulham, which both attract more than 15,000 visitors several times a year.
• Reaching a deal with BT Openreach to see high-speed broadband rolled out across the borough.

You can find out more about WorkZone online, by emailing the team at info@workzone.co.uk or by calling them on 020 8753 6773.