News

England's Department of Work and Pensions deploys 115 job-sourcing kiosks

February 5, 2003

OXFORD, England -- Worktrain, a national job, learning and career Web site has teamed up with local authorities and Cityspace to offer its services from 'i+ kiosks' located throughout the country.

According to a Department of Work and Pensions release, Worktrain was launched in March 2001 and provides access to information about job vacancies, learning/training opportunities and childcare providers.

The six-month kiosk pilot was launched Feb. 5, and has made 115 'i+ kiosks' available in the cities of Bath, Blackpool, Bristol, Bromley, Knowsley, London, Manchester, Newcastle, Reading, Swindon, Suffolk and Sutton. The service free and easy to use, according to the release.

"We want to make looking for work as easy, accessible and convenient as possible," said Nick Brown, England's minister for work. "The Worktrain Web site is already used by around 10,000 people a day and offers such a good service that 80 percent of users return to the site. This pilot will hopefully take this success story to another level."

"This exciting initiative further demonstrates how the Government is using the latest technology to offer citizens the services they want and need," said Andrew Pinder, the government's e-envoy. "The government is committed to using a variety of channels to deliver services, such as kiosks, interactive digital TV and www.ukonline.gov.uk the one-stop shop for online government information."

Mark Meyohas, managing director at Cityspace was also enthusiastic about the initiative.

"Cityspace is delighted to be partnering DWP in bringing Worktrain to an even larger audience," he said. "Providing free access to people on the move at convenient locations such as Oxford Street, means that Worktrain will reach those who may not visit government Web sites for jobs as well as those with no Internet access at all."