A JOB centre manager who has helped more than 30,000 people into work has become the first person in the public sector to win a major industry award.

David McArthur has been offered up to five times his current salary to move to the US or United Arab Emirates but prefers to stay with Jobcentre Plus in Dorset.

He has scooped the title of In-House Recruitment Leader of the Year 2016 in the Recruiter Awards, the most prestigious honours in the UK industry.

The single dad has already been given an MBE, as well as an Institute of Recruitment Professionals fellowship. He was the only person from the entire UK public sector to make the shortlist of the awards.

He said of the award: “This isn’t just a reflection on me. The hard and professional work undertaken by Jobcentre Plus work coaches and managers, mixed with the great work ethic of local people, is one thing. You then combine that with pro-active businesses and positive local training providers and you get great communities.”

Mr McArthur, Dorset and New Forest account manager for the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), has been a vocal supporter of the Daily Echo’s regular Jobs Fairs and their role in tackling unemployment locally.

He has helped more than 30,000 people back into work during his career, including more than 10,000 in the past five years.

He has seen youth unemployment drop in local areas by between 68 and 79 per cent, and all unemployment by 52-72 per cent, since 2010.

The Recruiter judges said: “His selfless desire to help others is admirable. He is a true leader of change”. They called him “impactful, passionate and highly influential”.

Martin Brown, DWP work service director of Wales and employers, said “Fantastic achievement. Thank you David for being such a great ambassador for the DWP”.

Mr McArthur said he had no intention of taking up any of the well-paid jobs he had been offered overseas.

“I’m a single dad and my wonderful daughter and I love so many parts of Dorset. Happiness means far more to us than money,” he said.