Staying positive in bleak jobs picture

OLDHAM has been named an employment blackspot and one of the worst places across the UK for job seekers.

A survey reveals there are 30 applicants fighting for every vacant post across Oldham and Rochdale combined, making its the seventh-hardest place in the UK to secure work.

The toughest place to get a job was Hull with 80 applicants chasing every position, followed by Stoke-on-Trent with 73, and then Sunderland with 54.

Best was oil industry-rich Aberdeen, with fewer than one person — just 0.88 — for every post.

Manchester leads the way in marketing and sales jobs, and is third-best for call centre work.

The survey compared the total number of vacancies in each area with the number of jobless.

Michelle Geoghegan, Oldham local policy manager for the Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce, said: “Despite this, there are a lot of positive business stories emanating from Oldham firms.

“The Oldham Business Awards has received a huge number of entries which means that there are companies keen to celebrate their success and show a positive side to business in the borough.

“There are a number of businesses recruiting in Oldham, but the Government needs to stimulate demand in the domestic economy and encourage businesses to invest in the region.”