400 jobs up for grabs at Amazon

The jobs bonanza is part of an overall recruitment drive to cope with the rise in online Christmas shopping. Last week 300 workers were taken on.

Recruits are being taken on across Staffordshire, the Black Country and Birmingham to handle demand.

Cathy Taylor, branch manager of the Job Centre in Wolverhampton, which helps process the jobs, said: "Due to the high number of people needed, recruitment started back in a small way in July and August and is now building up to several hundred people a week leading up to Black Friday.

"It's a huge recruitment operation that covers a wide area."

Amazon is one of several large firms in the UK, including Asda, John Lewis and PC World, that has adopted the American tradition of Black Friday, when companies slash prices on various items to attract business on the day, which this year falls on November 27.

Across the country, around 30 million people are expected to snap up gifts online and in store, taking advantage of discounts of up to 70 per cent.

Rugeley councillor David Gaye today welcomed the news on jobs.

He said: "This is a massive boost to the area. Even if the jobs are temporary, it's a great sign for Rugeley, especially when companies like JCB are cutting back on staff."

The Transline Group is handling the recruitment process on behalf of Amazon and other firms, also offering warehouse operative positions. Most are temporary jobs although the agency said a number would be made permanent following the festive period.

Chris Birkby, operations director of Transline Group, spoke of an 'unprecedented demand in the retail sector' this year.

He said they were hiring for several major blue-chip retailers which specialised in the distribution of online orders.

"The sheer volume of goods ordered online over the festive period is astonishing, and can be overwhelming to our clients, particularly if they don't have the right workforce in place," he said. "It's great that we are able to bring employment opportunities to the people of Rugeley as a result."

Rugeley Town chairman Councillor Mick Grocott said: "Any job is good, even if it is only festive work. There will always be the prospect of potential jobs coming off the back of this scheme. It's going to put money in people's pockets and is great for the rest of the economy in the Cannock Chase area."

Fellow councillor Jim Bowater said it was good news for the town.

"It's a great announcement for the local economy - 3,000 jobs being made available for this area alone is a huge number."