Jobless total down again in Rotherham, new figures reveal

The number of people claiming Jobseeker’s Allowance and Universal Credit in Rotherham – which includes Maltby, Dinnington and Mexborough – fell by 175 or 3.8 per cent to 4,390 for February compared to a year ago.

For people aged 18-24 there were 1,055 people on Jobseeker’s Allowance and Universal Credit, a fall of 25 or 2.3 per cent on this time last year.

Nationally, unemployment fell by 31,000 for the November to January period, with unemployment nationally at 1.58 million. The unemployment rate for the Novembe to January period has fallen to 4.7 per cent.

Nigel Coleman, of Jobcentre Plus in Rotherham, said there were hundreds of vacancies across South Yorkshire.

He said: “It looks like we are on the go again. The sunshine is obviously bringing everybody out.”

He added the employment situation across the county was “very positive”.

A jobs fair will be held at Rotherham Jobcentre on March 24 at which around 20 employers and support staff will help with CV development and interview techniques.

This event is by invitation only and anyone interested should contact the Jobcentre.

Other Rotherham and Barnsley job opportunities include 2,000 six-to-eight week vacancies with Edexcel at Maltby to deal with exams work, around 50 vacancies with Primark as the firm moves to the Parkgate Shopping, positions with the Environment Agency at Templeborough, as well as other roles with Capita, Webhelp, RBS, Asos, McDonald’s and others.

In Sheffield there were vacancies with McDonald’s, Knowhow, Santander, Virgin Media, and roles at the Crystal Peaks shopping area, Mr Coleman said.

There are vacancies for administrative and executive officers at Sheffield Magistrates' Court.

In Doncaster, Mr Coleman said there were around 500 to 800 vacancies at Amazon, as well as with the Hesley Group, Smyths Toys and Direct Line.

Minister for employment Damian Hinds said: “I’m delighted by another set of record-breaking figures showing more people in work than ever before and unemployment falling to its lowest in 12 years. 

“There’s good news in Yorkshire and the Humber, where there is a near record of 2.56 million people in work, with a near record number of 1.2 million women in work as well.

“But we have more to do, which is why we’re pressing ahead with our welfare reforms to ensure that it always pays to be in work.”