"This will be a friendly helping point, a place where people can come and get one-to-one advice," said Jeremy Drew, centre manager.

The project will also make links with Job Centre Plus and will provide training opportunities and help with application forms and CVs, as well as interview, communication and presentation skills.

Job seekers will also be given free IT training from the Everybody Online project by Gary Palmer, which is based at The Centre.

Mr George said Barclays should be congratulated on their contribution.

"The private sector has an important role to play.

"They get their PR and I'm sure it's an incentive to be seen to do good but there's actually quite a lot that banks can do to help people who are on the financial margins, particularly with bank accounts that penalise people."

"I believe Barclays will have staff involved in the training at The Centre and I hope that will help them to understand the reasons that they should not penalise people with charges."

Teresa Thomas, Penzance branch manager of Barclays, said staff would visit the centre to work with people to help break down the barriers to banking.

"We will make arrangements to come over here and do an hour or two every fortnight depending on what they want and then encourage people to come over and see us," she said. "We will do financial exercises and may be able to support them into basic bank accounts."

* For information about Proper Job phone Jeremy Drew on 01736 365890.

article copyright THE CORNISHMAN 

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