FIGURES released by the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) show the number of jobseekers claiming benefits across Redditch is currently at 2,030 – a 250 (11 per cent) drop on this time last year.
Of those, the majority are between 25 and 49 with 390 aged from 18 to 23 years old and 470 who are 50 or over.
A provider fair on December 1 at the Redditch Kingfisher JobCentre was attended by 330 claimants – 304 consulted support organisations which provided help and advice on subjects, such as money management, energy bills, housing, mental and physical health, training and progress into work assistance.
Follow-up actions were requested for 190 people before they could progress.
Caroline Raybould, Employment Lead for Worcestershire, said: “JobCentres have had an extremely busy year, working hard directly with employers to fill their vacancies with the right people.
“We’ve supported jobseekers to develop their skills, whilst also helping people to progress in their careers.”
She added sector-specific jobs fairs included logistics, manufacturing, administration and care where the DWP was also working with The National Careers Service to deliver Sector Based Work Academies.
These were aimed at filling the wide range of exciting vacancies currently available across the Civil Service.
