Job Box helps reduce unemployment in Telford & Wrekin
Unemployment figures in Telford and Wrekin show that the number of people claiming Job Seekers Allowance (JSA) has fallen again, by 4.9%, from 2,630 in July to 2,500 in August.
The number of 16-24 year olds claiming JSA has fallen even quicker during this period at a rate of 9%. This means that more than half of the 130 who have moved from claiming JSA are 16-24 year olds.
The news of the seventh monthly fall in a row in JSA claimants comes as Telford & Wrekin Council’s cabinet will consider a report at a meeting on Thursday that demonstrates how the Job Box service has helped unemployment rates in the borough to fall.
The council has committed to reducing unemployment levels in the borough and earlier this year launched the Job Box.
The Job Box was set up to pull together a range of education, training and employment support and its services have helped many local people into employment and many more are now being supported.
As a result of the measures taken by the council, youth unemployment in Telford and Wrekin is decreasing at a greater rate than the regional and national rates.
Last weekend, the Job Box hosted a mini jobs fair in Telford Shopping Centre to promote Christmas vacancies in September and helped more than 1,000 people with applications and queries about their job search.
Councillor Shaun Davies, cabinet member for employment and skills, said: “The latest JSA figures show that people in the borough are finding jobs.
“We’re pleased that the Job Box services are working for local people and getting them into employment or training.
“There is still work to do be done as our unemployment rates remain above the national and regional average despite coming down at a faster rate.
“The number of people claiming JSA for longer than 12 months is still reducing slower than for those people out of work for less than a year.
“This highlights the continuing difficulty experienced by long-term JSA claimants in finding jobs and we need to ensure we are doing everything we can for those who have been out of work for longer.
“We’re keen to ensure that unemployment figures in the borough continue on a downward trend and that we can help every 16–24 year old to find employment and training opportunities that work for them.
“Telford & Wrekin Council has invested £1.4 million in youth unemployment at a time of unprecedented cuts to the council.
“I will continue to demand the Government match fund our investment to give our young people the chance they deserve.”
