Jobcentre staff praised for turning lives around
Less unemployment benefits claimed in Renfrewshire
17.11.2017 Dole claims have dropped almost 40 per cent in the last seven years, statistics reveal.
Jobcentre figures show there are 1,856 fewer applications for benefits in Renfrewshire.
There has been an increase on the number asking for help in the last 12 months – up nine per cent.
But the number of young people on jobseekers allowance plummeted by more than half since 2010.
Scottish Secretary David Mundell has praised efforts to get adults into work.
He said: “It is encouraging to see Scotland’s employment remaining close to record highs seen earlier in the year.
“However, the slight rise in unemployment is disappointing and shows there can be no complacency as we tackle Scotland’s economic challenges.
“With growth in Scotland continuing to lag behind the rest of the UK, I urge the Scottish Government to use their considerable economic levers more effectively.”
There were 2,990 adults out of work in Renfrewshire last month.
This surged 235 from the same period the year before.
Among those seeking jobs were 580 people aged between 18 and 24 – down three per cent on last October.
Neighbouring East Renfrewshire had just 620 people out of work – of which 160 were aged 18 to 24.
It has cut the number out work by 725 – 54 per cent – since 2010.
Bosses at Paisley’s Jobcentre have hailed staff for helping turn lives around, including one man trying to get back into work.
A spokesman said: “He was struggling with an alcohol addiction.
“As the drinking problem escalated, he became suicidal and at one point he was phoning his work coach every day for support.
“Eventually it came to the point where he realised that he needed help.
“His work coach suggested he go to his GP and arranged an appointment for him.
“He also started handing in sick lines, but agreed to see his work coach every two weeks. During this time he was put into the ‘limited capability for work’.
“He wanted to continue seeing his work coach as he was determined to get a job.
“He phoned his work coach saying he needed fares to get to an interview, and the work coach arranged the fares through the flexible support fund.
“The work coach also advised him to get in touch if he needed help with travel costs if he got the job.
“The customer came back into the office to say that he got the job.”
Jobcentre staff say employers have scores of roles needing filled.
Braehead Shopping Centre wants to take on 100 workers; while Vascutek, in Inchinnan, is looking for 10; as is Dominos in Renfrew.
Berendsen in Inchinnan wants to bring in five workers; while Thermal Fisher in the village needs 18; Buzzwork Holdings in Bridge of Weir need six workers; and McAlpines in Johnstone are looking to recruit seven.