Brighton and Hove job centre boss pulls out of work experience debate

A senior Brighton and Hove job centre manager has pulled out of a public debate about unpaid work experience.

Grahame Widdowson, customer service operations manager with Job Centre Plus, was asked how best to help young people into work.

He told a meeting of the Brighton and Hove Strategic Partnership today (Tuesday 1 October): “Work experience works. It’s the best route into work for young people.

“Employers want to know someone will turn up and is reliable.

“Because of the demonstrations about work experience, I lost some national chains.

“Fortunately now I’ve got a number of small employers on my books.

“Just look at those youngsters after four weeks – the confidence it gives them.”

He said that he protected young people form exploitation and assured them that if they came back and reported problems, they would not be penalised.

Mr Widdowson was due to take part in the Brighton and Hove Chamber of Commerce Big Debate on the topic at City College on Wednesday 16 October.

Strategic Partnership chairman Tony Mernagh has offered to take his place.

Mr Mernagh said that there was a big difference between work experience and workfare.

Brighton and Hove City Council chief executive Penny Thompson said: “Locally it’s become toxic to the detriment of the very young people it’s meant to help.”

Geraldine Des Moulins said that people volunteering for local charities had benefited and it had helped some of them to find jobs.

Council leader Jason Kitcat said: “It seems a great shame if you’re not able to place young people who are keen and willing.”