Fall in jobless total offers hope

OLDHAM’S employment market is starting to show signs of recovery.

Employment figures have improved for the third consecutive month, with the number of people claiming Job Seekers Allowance (JSA) dropping from 7,356 in September to 6,896 in November.

Councillor Howard Sykes, chairman of Oldham Council’s Credit Crunch Cabinet, said: “While it is important to bear in mind that seasonal work would lead us to expect a drop in people claiming Job Seekers Allowance, the true significance of these figures is revealed when you look at our Greater Manchester neighbours.

“Oldham has traditionally had a much higher rate of JSA claimants than the majority of Greater Manchester authorities, but the last quarter of this year has seen us perform much better compared with previous years — rising two places in the table from last year.”

Oldham recently secured funding for 506 young people to take advantage of the Future Jobs Fund scheme.

This gives people who have been unemployed for between nine and 12 months a six-month period of paid employment plus training and personal development.

All the jobs provided involve doing something of community benefit — helping the young people of Oldham to enter employment in sectors that help the borough such as environmental services and residential care.

There are currently 76 Future Jobs vacancies at the Job Centre and the first recruits are set to start their six months of employment and training next Monday.

Other schemes introduced by the Credit Crunch Cabinet include slashing on-street car parking charges, and a six-day Credit Crunch Roadshow which offered advice on jobs, housing, childcare and benefits.

Councillor Sykes added: “With the launch of high-profile initiatives such as the Future Jobs Fund and the number of unemployed falling let’s hope these success stories are the first of many for the New Year.”

For more on what the council is doing to beat the recession log on to www.oldham.gov.uk/creditcrunch