A NEW service has been launched to help employers tackle staff shortages in Oxfordshire.

The county has one of the lowest unemployment rates in the country - approaching the statistical zero figure. As jobless figures in the county hover around a 20-year low, some firms are struggling to fill vacancies.

Earlier this week, fibre-optic manufacturer JDS Uniphase appealed for help in filling 100 vacancies at its Witney base, after traditional recruitment methods failed.

In a new drive to tackle the problem, Steven Laurence, who is employed by Oxfordshire social services department, has been seconded to Business Link to promote the business benefit of family-friendly policies.

He said: "Flexible approaches to recruitment and retention of staff give the employer greater access to a pool of people that would otherwise not be available for work because of domestic commitments.

He said: "Many employers are finding there are huge benefits from adopting family friendly policies, from running flexible working hours to setting up a workplace nursery or supporting a childminders' network."

His post is being funded by the Oxfordshire Early Years Development and Childcare Partnership, which is backed by the Heart of England TEC, is advising employers on legal and tax aspects of childcare subsidy or provision and promoting information about available childcare provision in the county to employers and employees.

He is also signposting employers to sources of support and advising businesses wanting to develop personnel policies and practices that will benefit parents in their company. He can be contacted at Business Link on 01235 468100.

* Computer firm RM enjoys jobs boom - see the Recruitment page in tomorrow's Oxford Mail

* The Oxford Mail Job Fair is being staged at Oxford Town Hall on Thursday, February 24, from 11am to 7pm. Entry is free as are careers guidance seminars taking place throughout the day. More than 40 of Oxfordshire's premier employers will be at the fair, which is the 14th to be staged by the Oxford Mail.

Story date: Wednesday 16 February

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