Rotherham jobless number decreases

UNEMPLOYMENT in Rotherham has fallen again, according to government figures released today.

The number of people claiming Jobseeker’s Allowance in Rotherham – which includes Maltby, Dinnington and Mexborough – has dropped by 1,774 on this time last year to 5,081.

Among people aged 18 to 24 there are 1,215 people on Jobseeker’s Allowance, a fall of 630 or 34 per cent from last year.

Nigel Coleman, of Jobcentre Plus, said that getting young people into work was still a priority and that employers were offering opportunities such as apprenticeships.

But he added that South Yorkshire was “very buoyant” at present in terms of offering jobs to young people and that employers were always looking for “fresh blood”.

Mr Coleman said: “If we don’t get a young workforce operating as much as we can it will have long-term negative effects.”

Mr Coleman said that Rotherham was currently doing well for job provision.

He said that examinations organisation Edexcel in Hellaby has taken on 200 people to help with exam marking work and Greencore and Single Resource have opportunities in food processing.

He added that Parseq, again in Hellaby, had roles at its call centre and there were work opportunities in care provision and at new businesses opening in Parkgate and Aldwarke.

Mr Coleman said that many people were choosing to work “across the border” in places like Sheffield and Doncaster.

He said that the Our Community scheme was offering help to claimants with preparing for work and getting interviews and the Graduate Accelerator Programme supports graduates up to age 28 to gain skills for jobs.

The new minister of state for employment Priti Patel said: “Our long-term economic plan is creating a better, more prosperous future for Britain, with employment at an all-time high and more women in work than ever before.

“In Yorkshire and Humber there are 26,000 more people in work compared to last year.

“Behind the statistics are countless stories of individual hard work and determination, of people feeling more financially secure with a regular wage.

“I want to continue to ensure our welfare reforms are giving people the skills and opportunities to move into work to give everyone in our country the chance to make the most of their lives.”