Jobs situation is "encouraging" as unemployment rate falls

Figures from the Office for National Statistics show the number of people claiming Jobseeker’s Allowance and Universal Credit in Rotherham – which includes Maltby, Dinnington and Mexborough – has fallen by 940 on this time last year to 4,120.

For people aged 18-24 there are 950 people on Jobseeker’s Allowance and Universal Credit, a fall of 310 or 25 per cent from last year.

Nationally, the employment rate now stands at 74 per cent.

Nigel Coleman, of Jobcentre Plus, said that a recent analysis showed that 1,121 Jobseeker’s Allowance claimants in Rotherham had found work in the last quarter.

Mr Coleman said that there are a number of job opportunities coming up in the near future with vacancies available at Capita, Royal Mail, Greencore, KP/PMP Recruitment and Webhelp.

Mr Coleman said: “It’s very diverse but there are lots of local opportunities there.”

There are going to be 2,000 temporary vacancies with Edexcel in Maltby and sector-based work academies with Rotherham NHS and Toyoda Gosei on Bessemer Way, Masbrough, have proved beneficial in providing training, work experience and jobs too.

There are 60 vacancies with Greencore in Kiveton, as well as other opportunities with employers across the area.

Mr Coleman said that the Army is recruiting and that the recruitment office on Campo Lane, Sheffield, is a “gold standard” centre providing hi-tech jobs advice for military roles.

Mr Coleman said that the jobs situation in Rotherham is “encouraging."