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Introduction...

This was the Labour Exchange, the predecessor of Jobcentre Plus. ACT has developed an exciting learning activity to explore one hundred years of helping people into work since 1910.

Exploring the role of the state - toolkit details

The challenge, aimed at Years 9 and 10, asks pupils to explore the role of the state in supporting unemployed young people and create a digital presentation of their findings. With the support of ACT, teachers will have two months to help pupils explore the challenge and submit their entry. The winners of the challenge will receive a cash prize!

A toolkit for teachers and pupils has been designed to help teachers and pupils with the challenge.

The Association for Citizenship Teaching has launched this national challenge for secondary school children. Organised in partnership with the Department of Work and Pensions, the challenge marks the hundred year anniversary of the Labour Exchange, the predecessor of today’s Jobcentre Plus.

Winston Churchill and the origin of the Labour Exchange

Labour Exchanges were created by the Labour Exchange Act of 1909. Winston Churchill, as President of the Board of Trade, rushed to get 62 Exchanges open by February 1st 1910. It was the start of what was then a radical concept - that Government should bring together people looking for work and employers looking for workers.

The launch of the first Labour Exchanges saw crowds of several hundred people across the country line up to be the first to get jobs. Churchill visited the three at Hackney, Stepney and Camberwell Green on opening day. The first Exchanges had separate entrances and rooms for men, women and children - those as young as 11 years old queued up to find work.

From humble beginnings, the service has gone from strength to strength. Today's Jobcentre Plus employs around 84,000 people in around 750 offices who help customers into jobs from 10,000 new vacancies received every day.

Live links for further information

• DirectGov website
• The Hackney Museum, London-see above
• The Peoples Museum, Manchester
• An article at BBC Online
• and also Facebook site Labour Exchange Centenary

How to take the challenge

The deadline for completing the activity is March 30th 2010. Entries should be sent to Chris Waller, Professional Officer at ACT chris.waller@teachingcitizenship.org.uk

Download the toolkit here