A RECRUITMENT service in the North-East, which has become a nationwide role model, has been singled out for top level government praise.

Minister for Work Nick Brown applauded the team at the Peterlee Customer Service Centre during a presentation of a Charter Mark Award.

He said: "I was greatly impressed by the high tech facilities and level of service provided to customers by the Peterlee Customer Service Centre, which has been used as a model for other regions throughout the country .

"The centre demonstrates how flexible the Employment Service can be when it comes to meeting customer needs, providing a range of methods for getting in touch and longer opening hours so that vacancies can be notified at a time when it is convenient for employers."

At the same ceremony, Mr Brown praised Sunderland JobCentres, which he said had also focused on employer needs - and as a result had succeeded in retaining their Charter Mark status.

"I am sure that users of the JobCentres are already reaping the benefits of the improved services,'' said Mr Brown.

During his visit, the minister also officiated over the signing up to the Government's New Deal by Nike in Sunderland and the Cleveland Fire Service.

The move means that both employers have given a commitment to look at how they can provide work opportunities for New Deal clients.

Mr Brown said: "This is excellent news for jobseekers across the region. As more employers sign up to New Deal, more and more opportunities will become available to help people make that step change from welfare into work.

"New Deal is proving to be a great success and is bringing about real change in people's lives and we are constantly looking at ways to build on the success we have already achieved.''