DISTRICT Manager Bill Marks is working on the details of big changes planned for local Jobcentres during the next three years.

The Government has introduced Jobcentre Plus -- a new business within the Department for work and Pensions.

It replaces the Employment Service, which ran Jobcentres, and the parts of the Benefits Agency which provided services to people of working age through social security offices.

The Jobcentre Plus network, which is being introduced throughout the country, will allow people to find work and claim benefits under the same roof.

Mr Marks, who is 47 and from Burnley, is responsible for 700 staff across 11 sites in Bolton and Bury.

In Bolton they include the social security office at Elizabeth House and the Jobcentres in Great Moor Street and Blackhorse Street.

Mr Marks has worked in the Benefits Agency for 30 years and transferred to Bolton in April from his previous job as District Manager for Calderdale and Kirklees in Yorkshire.

In the short term his priority is to build on existing good relations with local companies.

"We are really keen to improve the service to employers out there and fill their vacancies with appropriately skilled staff," he said.

A Local Account Manager, Debra Jones, has been appointed to work with employers and identify their needs.

Plans during the next three years -- part of the government's national programme -- will include a major upgrade of all IT systems in Bolton.

Major re-furbishment of outlets is also in the pipelines.

Mr Marks expects one of the Bolton buildings to become an integrated point of call where people will be able to get both job-seeking and benefits advice.

The nearest place where this is already happening is Blackburn.

"The customer response has been overwhelmingly positive," Mr Marks said.

He added: "At the moment customers in Bolton and Bury should still make contact with their social services office or Jobcentre as they have in the past."