Employment reaches record high

Official figures released by the Labour Market Statistics (LMS) on Wednesday (12 July) show the number of people in work is also at the highest level since records began in 1971.

The unemployment rate has fallen to 4.5% – the lowest level since 1975.

In the North West, it’s good news as the number of people in work is at a record high of 3.45 million. At 74.0%, the employment rate is at a joint record high, while at 4.3% the unemployment rate in the North West is lower than the national rate of 4.5%.

According to the Office of National Statistics, the national employment rate is at a record high of 74.9%, with 32.01 million people now in work – an increase of 324,000 on the year. Unemployment is down 64,000 on the quarter and is at the lowest rate since 1975.

The record figures have been driven by increases in the number of people in full time work.

The latest figures also show:

• The female employment rate is at a record high of 70.4%, with over 15 million women in work.
• Youth unemployment is down by 377,000 since 2010. 

Separate figures also released on Wednesday show 1.2 million claims have been made to Universal Credit (UC). Of the 540,000 people now claiming UC, 39% are in work.

The claimant count for 18-24 year olds in Rochdale is down 7% on this time last year with 910 people claiming. This is down by a staggering 61% in the last five years, and down by 59% since 2010.

The total number of claimants has increased 10% on this time last year with 4,245 claiming. However, this has reduced by 44% in the last five years and by 37% since 2010.

There are a ‘near record’ 774,000 vacancies in the economy at any one time. BBC bosses announced 200 new digital jobs at MediaCityUK in Salford earlier this week.

And 5,000 new jobs could be created, after Icon Industrial snapped up prime development land by Airport City for £29m. The site is currently home to Amazon and DHL.

In Rochdale, there is still ongoing demand for warehouse operatives, and growth sectors, including support and Domiciliary care.

In the borough, there are currently 200+ apprenticeships available such as retail, contact centre, business admin, plastering, plumbing, joinery, catering, hospitality, etc. A variety of traineeships are available in the following areas of care, contact centre, retail, and digital.

Apprenticeship group information sessions currently run every fortnight; there are eight Training Providers delivering these sessions on a rota basis.