The Recruitment & Employment Confederation (REC) has refreshed and re-signed its partnership agreement with the Department for Work & Pensions (DWP).

The agreement, originally established in 2012, sets out how the REC and DWP will work together to help people access and progress in work - especially those furthest away from the labour market.

The partnership includes sharing knowledge and intelligence, acting as champions for diverse and inclusive hiring, and leading the debate on the future of work and green jobs.

As part of the agreement, the REC and DWP will also look to establish how the employment industry can work across multiple government departments, including the Department for Education (DfE) and Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy (BEIS), to tackle labour and skills shortages now and in the future.

Neil Carberry, chief executive of the REC, said: "Today's world of work looks very different to two years ago, with the pandemic having amplified and accelerated some big shifts in our jobs market.

"Now that the recovery is well underway - and with labour shortages emerging across the economy - support for the unemployed is a vital part of the response our economy needs. It's the right thing to do to open up the opportunities people need to find good work and progress their careers.

"This is the perfect time to refresh this partnership and we look forward to demonstrating how the recruitment industry can work together with DWP, as well as other government departments, to solve the big issues Britain faces at work, as we level up together."

Mims Davies MP, minister for employment, said: "As we continue to push ahead with our national recovery, I'm delighted to renew DWP's partnership with REC, furthering our collective commitment and mutual efforts to help employers recruit and to ensure people have support they need - at any age and any career stage - to build new skills, seize that next opportunity, and progress in work."