UK Job Centres Prepare to See FREE Public WiFi Hotspots Go Live

Part of the Government’s Digital Jobcentres project appears to be nearing completion, which among other things means that job hunters across the United Kingdom will soon be able to get online in any of the 700 or so Jobcentre Plus offices by using a new free WiFi hotspot service.

The Jobcentre WiFi Initiative was first unveiled earlier this year and the related deployment, which also includes the installation of new “web access devices” (better known as computers to us mere mortals) across the jobcentre network, is currently expected to complete by the end of this month. The Minister of State for Employment, Esther McVey MP, gave some additional details in June of this year.

Esther McVey MP told the House of Commons:

“The Digital Jobcentres project will modernise the jobcentre digital infrastructure. From now until the end of October, we will be installing wi-fi and new web access devices (WADs) across the jobcentre network.

These WADs will enable claimants to access universal jobmatch and other job sites, as well as allowing them to apply directly for vacancies that they find. The purpose of this new equipment is to help those who have no access to digital technology elsewhere.

Wi-fi will be available across the entire jobcentre network by the end of October.

We will also be replacing around 2,300 customer access phones with a new assisted service for claimants who attend the jobcentre and are unable to access DWP services without our help. The assisted service is face-to-face and includes controlled use of a telephone. Support is tailored to the individual’s needs.”

End.