Dales jobseekers get pick of two vacancies per person

DISTRICT HAS LOWEST UNEMPLOYMENT RATE IN DERBYSHIRE

THE Derbyshire Dales has the lowest number of unemployed people in the county, according to new data which examines the ratio of people unemployed and vacancies available.

The figures show that, for every one jobseeker there are two vacancies in the district – a ratio of 0.5 based on unemployment-to-vacancy.

This is in stark contrast to other parts of the county, with Bolsover seeing 4.8 jobseekers for each vacancy, and in North East Derbyshire the ratio is 2.1.

At the time of the study, in February, there were 17,433 people out of work across the county, compared to 15,791 vacancies – equivalent to 1.1 unemployed people per advertised role.

The figures are based on analysis by the Local Government Association (LGA), which is calling for councils to be given more powers to deal with local labour market issues and help tackle the cost of living crisis.

The LGA and the Institute for Employment Studies looked at estimated unemployment figures for the three months to February alongside vacancies data from search engine Adzuna. Across England, nearly a third of council areas had at least two people chasing each job on offer, while in many places the figure was much higher.

Meanwhile, in two-fifths of the country there were more vacancies than unemployed people, making it harder for employers to fill job posts.

The analysis also found coastal and post-industrial areas were hardest hit by lower labour market participation and fewer vacancies, while the southern half of the country was more likely to have higher participation and high vacancies.

It comes ahead of the latest official labour market figures due to be published on Tuesday, which are expected to show a continuing fall in unemployment to levels last seen in the 1970s, in contrast to record vacancies.

This combination is partly down to what some people are calling the “great resignation”, whereby large numbers are leaving the labour market altogether, meaning they are neither working nor looking for employment.

This is partly down to the impact of Covid-19, with more former workers becoming economically inactive due to long-term sickness.

Since the start of the pandemic, the trend has also been driven by more people choosing to study or retire.

However, the LGA said it also reflected the mismatch between jobs available in different areas, and those with the necessary skills to fill them.

Kevin Bentley, chairman of the LGA’S people and places board, says a record number of vacancies coupled with a shrinking workforce have created “the tightest jobs market in our lifetimes”.

He said: “These changes are not being felt equally across the country, with too many people battling for fewer jobs in some areas while in others, employers are crying out for skilled workers to meet demand.

“The Government’s ‘one size fits all’ national approach to employment and skills is no longer fit for purpose.

“Levelling up should mean adapting support to local needs, making it more personalised and joinedup for people seeking work, while recognising the wide variations not just between different parts of the country, but also within them.

“No area should be left behind. Councils and combined authorities – who know their communities best – want to be front and centre in ensuring everyone has the chance to learn new skills and find work, in good jobs needed by local businesses, in the places where they live.”

A Department for Work and Pensions spokesperson said: “Our brilliant DWP Work Coaches are matching jobseekers to local vacancies in growing sectors and supporting people – at any age and any career stage – to seize that next opportunity, get into work and progress. “We’re also working directly with employers across the country, and connecting them with the jobready talent they need to fill their roles.

“Any businesses struggling should reach out to their local jobcentre, where they can benefit from sector-specific support, like hospitality jobs fairs, and our Sector-based Work Academy Programme, which is training an average of 1,600 jobseekers a week in the skills we know employers need.”

Government’s ‘one size fits all’ national approach to employment and skills is no longer fit for purpose.