“Information on job vacancies, training, services & benefits, as well as childcare, will be available at the touch of a button.” Rt. Hon. Tony Blair MP – The Prime Minister

  • Client The Department for Work and Pensions
  • Project Jobcentre Plus
  • Cost £ 500m+
  • Sector Mass Market Retailing
  • Location Nationwide
  • Date Due for completion in 2007
Background
In 2001, The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) embarked on a ground-breaking journey by launching the Jobcentre Plus roll out. Regrouping both ex-Jobcentres and ex-Social Security branches, these revamped offices would embrace a new business process supported by a new environment. With a concept situated between ‘Retail’ and ‘Civic’, the design for Jobcentre Plus aims to provide safe and comfortable environment for staff and customers alike.
The Challenge
The duration of this ambitious Jobcentre Plus programme is approximately 4 years, with a total rollout across more than 1,100 sites. These sit within 90 designated ‘Districts’, which are controlled by 11 Regions. The management of the field teams has been resourced on a District-by-District basis, with each District being designated to rollout as a complete unit in a specific year of the programme.
The Solution
L&H were appointed as the Concept Architect for the roll-out of the Jobcentre Plus offices, their remit being to take the leading role in the briefing process and define how the design concept was communicated to the implementation teams (Design & Build). This was achieved with the help of workshops, a detailed design manual, field bulletins and a dedicated support team directed by L&H Solutions. By providing standard tools such as a detailed accommodation schedule, which reflects the organisational structure of each office, architects can obtain a consistent brief from the local client wherever they work in the UK.
L&H Solutions continue to commit a dedicated team to the programme and have successfully completed the 900 offices. Jobcentre Plus looks to be one of the most successful Labour Government initiatives since they came to power.