THE front page article “Jobs headache”, by Paul Broome (Hereford Times, September 17), highlighted employers’ concerns about a perceived shortage of local jobseekers to fill their current vacancies.

It is important that more employers are made aware of the pool of jobseekers who are looking for work in Hereford.

I work for Shaw Trust, a national employment, learning and skills charity that operates in the city.

Shaw Trust is committed to helping disabled and disadvantaged people achieve their work ambitions.

I understand the frustration of local employers who are struggling to fill jobs in the city centre and Shaw Trust might be able to offer some help to tackle employers’ recruitment worries.

Our employment centre in Hereford delivers the mainstream employment support schemes Work Choice and Work Programme.

The Work Programme helps disadvantaged people, who are long-term unemployed, get into work. Shaw Trust works with 147 Work Programme clients in Hereford, which is a potential source of candidates to fill vacancies.

Work Choice is a voluntary scheme that helps disabled people find work.

Statistics show that disabled people are highly productive and loyal employees who take less time off sick and have fewer accidents at work than their non-disabled colleagues – there are currently six Work Choice clients looking for work in the city.

Hereford’s local economy will continue to grow if we harness the ability and talent of everyone in our community. Employers are welcome to email me at frank.wright@shaw-trust.org.uk if they are keen to contact our clients.

FRANK WRIGHT Shaw Trust Team Leader, Herefordshire and South Shropshire