A service set up to help people in Wandsworth find employment, while also supporting local business, is celebrating having reached a milestone of finding its 1000th person a job.

Work Match has celebrated its fifth birthday this week, and the successful recruitment service is now looking forward to linking up hundreds more residents to businesses across the borough in the coming years.

Josiah Knight was the 1000th person to get a job through Work Match and attended a special birthday party at the team’s new offices at the Vista development in Nine Elms.

The 17-year-old secured a position as a labourer with Keltbray via Work Match. He now works at Battersea Power Station, and Keltbray has selected him to start a formwork carpentry apprenticeship next month.

Mr Knight said: “I really wanted to get involved in construction and someone told me about Work Match so I got in contact with them.

“Will from the team helped me with my CV and referred me for jobs. It is great to be working on such an iconic project.

“I’ve wanted to work in the construction industry from a young age and am very happy to have the opportunity to get this apprenticeship with Keltbray at my age.

“It’s nice to feel like I am contributing to the progression of my community with the project I am on.”

Unlike most recruitment teams Work Match is not driven by commission targets and only puts forward candidates who are genuinely ready, willing and able to meet workplace demands.

The Work Match team supports candidates through the application process - including help with CVs and interview skills - to give them the best chance of success. They also help local people find any pre-job training and support they need to get ready for the workplace.

The service works closely with Job Centre Plus, community organisations, local colleges and schools to provide an integrated support network.

Leader of Wandsworth Council, Ravi Govindia, said: “To have put 1,000 Wandsworth people into employment is an incredible achievement and I am very proud of what the team at Work Match has done for our residents.

“The local jobs market is growing and the Work Match team is making sure our job seekers have a real advantage when it comes to securing new roles.”

To contact Work Match call 020 8871 5191, email wandsworthworkmatch@wandsworth.gov.uk or visit www.wandsworthworkmatch.org