A partnership to help Camden and Islington residents reap the benefits of the new King’s Cross development has celebrated getting 1,000 people into work.

Islington Gazette: From left to right: King's Cross Recruit operations manager Vanessa Henneker; Cllr Richard Watts, leader of Islington Council; Robert Evans, executive director of King's Cross developers Argent; Cllr Danny Beales, Camden Council's cabinet member for investing in communities pictured at a celebrating marking getting 1,000 people into work, on January 23. Picture: Justin ThomasFrom left to right: King's Cross Recruit operations manager Vanessa Henneker; Cllr Richard Watts, leader of Islington Council; Robert Evans, executive director of King's Cross developers Argent; Cllr Danny Beales, Camden Council's cabinet member for investing in communities pictured at a celebrating marking getting 1,000 people into work, on January 23. Picture: Justin Thomas (Image: © 2018 Justin Thomas)

King’s Cross Recruit (KXR) is a partnership between Camden Council, Islington Council and the King’s Cross Central Limited Partnership.

Its aim is to take advantage of the development near the Camden and Islington border and get locals into “good quality” jobs and training.

The new shopping and restaurant area at the Coal Drops Yard opened in October on former railway land.

KXR has offered a free professional recruitment service for employers to help grow their businesses.

Among the people on the Camden side of the border who found a job recently with the help of KX Recruit is 18-year-old Lucy Palmer who works at King’s Cross Academy Primary School as a play worker.

Lucy said: “I came to KX Recruit for a practice interview and their recruitment advisor also showed me around the area and where the school was. I started work at the school in September and I love it there.”

Camden’s Danny Beales said the council was “delighted” with it success so far.

“We know too many people struggle to find good quality work that provides them with the flexibility they need to live their lives. It is important that King’s Cross Recruit helps our residents to find employment that pays fairly, provides opportunities to progress and allows flexibility.”

Leader of Islington Council Richard Watts joined in the praise.

“The King’s Cross development brings thousands of employment and training opportunities to our doorstep from world-class employers, and our partnership with KX Recruit allows us to make them available to local people, creating a fair and inclusive local economy which works for all Islington residents,” he said.