Fewer jobless in Rotherham as new scheme aims to help young

The number of people claiming Jobseeker’s Allowance in Rotherham  – which includes Maltby, Dinnington and Mexborough – has fallen by 1,254 on this time last year to 4,583.

For people aged 18 to 24 there are 1,090 people on Jobseeker’s Allowance, a fall of 380 or 26 per cent from last year, according to statistics from the Department for Work and Pensions.

Nationally, the jobless total has risen by 25,000 for April to June compared to the previous quarter making the number of people out of work 1.85 million.

The new figures coincide with the launch of the #WEcan work experience campaign which aims to give young people practical business skills for their first step on the career ladder.

The new campaign offers work experience opportunities and encourages businesses to create them.

It is being launched as A-Level and GCSE results are revealed and will be offered to 12,000 young people who are part of the Youth Employment UK network.

Kerry Moseley, senior operations manager at Rotherham Jobcentre, said that since 2010 in Rotherham unemployment has fallen by 37 per cent, and by 52 per cent in the 18 to 24 age group.

She said: “There are some strong figures.”

Miss Moseley said that the #WEcan initiative aimed to encourage young people into work.

She said: “We are looking to support young people to give them the first step on the ladder.

“For the last month in Rotherham, 60 per cent of customers who started work experience placements got into work either as a result of that experience or shortly after.

“It’s a springboard into employment.”

There are 30 #WEcan placements in Rotherham every month, said Miss Moseley, who added that the scheme offers actual work experience and encourages participants to boost their ability at interacting with customers and colleagues.

Matt Smith (19), of Rotherham, has been doing work experience at Rotherham Jobcentre and gained a job as a result of it.

He said: “No one should be worried about trying it. It’s very laid back but they push you to do new things.

“I have gained confidence.”

Work and pensions secretary Iain Duncan Smith welcomed the new job figures.

He said: “Thanks to our long-term economic plan we have already seen close to two million more people in jobs since 2010. On top of that, there are a record number of women in work in Yorkshire and the Humbe

CBI director-general John Cridland gave his reaction to the national rise in unemployment.

He said: “It is disappointing to see employment falling, caused by a drop in the number of people working part-time.

“And while the overall pace of pay growth has remained steady, it has fallen slightly in the private sector, where growth in regular pay has slowed and bonus payments have fallen.

“With the new National Living Wage forcing pay rises from early next year, the government will need to keep a close eye on employment figures to ensure it minimises the negative effect of locking some people out of work.”