News and Press - 2004
2nd December 2004 - 'Putting jobs on the line' Waltham Forest Guardian
An online matchmaking service for jobseekers has been launched in Waltham Forest. The council, in conjunction with a major software company, is running a pilot scheme to link job seekers and employers over the internet using a system called MegaNexus. Cllr Simon Wright, Cabinet Member for Regeneration, said: "often the key to finding a job or finding the right person for a job is having good contacts."
The MegaNexus scheme is an exciting new way to bridge the gap in Waltham Forest "By matching up organisations that are recruiting new staff and those looking for work, we can boost local employment and help business cut recruitment costs." The system uses the theory of six degrees of separation, where everyone in the world is linked by 6 social societies to create a network that can be used by jobseekers at home, at job centres, internet cafes or local libraries. The borough is the first in London to try the scheme which has proved a success in Liverpool.
Dr Daniel Brown of MegaNexus said: "the system has already made headway. The idea is to make best use of your contacts to maximise our opportunities. It may not be your closest contact that creates that perfect job offer, but one of their contact may know of a vacancy that would suit you."Top
6th November 2004 - GO Partnership MegaNexus
The Gospel Oak Partnership Team have introduced a new MegaNexus service to help users find useful information to the Youth Inclusion and Support Panel. This Project will be used to capture data on approximately 100 local services. These data will be encoded into the MegaNexus application along with appropriate data which assists with referencing, locating and networking these services to a wide range of differently phrased enquiries. The purpose of the application is to enable the YISP (Youth Inclusion and Support Panel) to become the centre point for locating appropriate services for children in the neighbourhood.Top
26th October 2004 - Action Acton Employment Network
Action Acton in West London are piloting a Mini-MegaNexus project that will bring together information on local vacancies, support providers and training centres in the local community as well as providing Action Acton with management information to allow quick and easy reporting. The network will be available for all their Access to Work clients and offers users a chance to create their own online account and search for local jobs 24/7 via the internet, whether at home or the library or an internet caf.Top
11th August 2004 - Waltham Forest MegaNexus Project Kicks Off
A new MegaNexus project is underway in the London Borough of Waltham Forest. This is the first London local authority to implement the system with several other boroughs watching the project with great interest. Waltham Forest Councillor, Simon Wright, Lead Member for Regeneration, said: "Often the key to finding a job or finding the right person for a job is having good contacts. The MegaNexus scheme is an exciting new way to bridge that gap in Waltham Forest. By matching up organisations who are recruiting new staff and those looking for work, we can both boost local employment and help businesses cut recruitment costs."Top
6th August 2004 - Liverpool MegaNexus A Great Success
Liverpool City Council have completed the introduction of a MegaNexus Collator system to bring together unemployed people, employers and advisors. This has successfully demonstrated the benefit of empowering customers to locate employers and others who might be able to help locate jobs. Further phases are expected shortly.Top
26th July 2004 - An Exciting New Online Recruitment System
'Liverpool City Council (JET and City Centre Neighbourhood Services) and Liverpool Direct are working with the University College London on an exciting new pilot - an on-line Social Networking system called MegaNexus. The website will eventually hold thousands of individuals employment and experience details, enabling recruiting companies to locate suitable candidates and helping individuals looking for work to find valuable contacts. In addition, this system will take the expense and effort out of the recruitment process.'
(Liverpool City Central BID electronic newsletter).Top