THE traditional card system for advertising employment vacancies has disappeared from Bolton's Blackhorse Street Jobcentre.

It has been replaced with 29 "jobpoints" -- electronic touch screen computer terminals which have access to more than 400,000 vacancies throughout the country.

Jobpoint users select the type of work they require and possible locations.

Lists of jobs are produced and can be printed off with a full description.

The Employment Service says the jobpoints have simple step-by-step instructions backed-up by staff who are available to help anyone who is unsure about using the new technology.

Jobseekers who have decided which vacancies they wish to apply for can discuss them with a member of staff or telephone the vacancy call centre -- Employment Service Direct on 0845 6060 234.

Barbara Hunt, the Blackhorse Street Jobcentre Manager said: "Jobpoints will prove a tremendous help to local jobseekers and have been designed with wheelchair users in mind.

"The traditional vacancy boards limited the number of jobs we could display at any one time."

She added: "People now have the flexibility to look for work anywhere in the country and have access to international vacancies too -- all at the touch of a screen."

Other Employment Service Jobcentres in Bolton and Bury -- including the one in Great Moor Street, Bolton -- will be installing the kiosks over the next six months.

Jobpoints represent the latest stage in the Employment Service's plans to improve access for both jobseekers and employers.

A new phone-based customer service centre for North-west employers is due to be opened towards the end of the year.

The national job bank is also available through the Worktrain website -- www.worktrain.gov.uk OLD STYLE: JobCentre customer services manager Tracy Lawless checks the old style cards still in use in Great Moor Street JOB HUNTING REVOLUTION: Chris Morris, JobCentre marketing manager, (left) and Martin Shaw, Customer Services introduce the new system to 22-year-old Gemma Staples from Lostock THE traditional card system for advertising employment vacancies has disappeared from Bolton's Blackhorse Street JobCentre.

It has been replaced with 29 "jobpoints" -- electronic touch screen computer terminals which have access to more than 400,000 vacancies throughout the country.

Jobpoint users select the type of work they require and possible locations.

Lists of jobs are produced and can be printed off with a full description.

The Employment Service says the jobpoints have simple step-by-step instructions backed-up by staff who are available to help anyone who is unsure about using the new technology.

Jobseekers who have decided which vacancies they wish to apply for can discuss them with a member of staff or telephone the vacancy call centre -- Employment Service Direct on 0845 6060 234.

Barbara Hunt, the Blackhorse Street Jobcentre Manager, said: "Jobpoints will prove a tremendous help to local jobseekers and have been designed with wheelchair users in mind.

"The traditional vacancy boards limited the number of jobs we could display."

She added: "People now have the flexibility to look for work anywhere in the country and have access to international vacancies too -- all at the touch of a screen."

Other Employment Service Jobcentres in Bolton and Bury -- including the one in Great Moor Street, Bolton -- will be installing the kiosks over the next six months.

Jobpoints represent the latest stage in the Employment Service's plans to improve access for both jobseekers and employers.

A new phone-based customer service centre for North-west employers is due to be opened towards the end of the year.

The national job bank is also available through the Worktrain website -- www.worktrain.gov.uk