Employment figures see lowest rise in months

Year-on-year employment statistics in North Lanarkshire continue to rise – but at their lowest rate in months.

On January 24, there were 7315 alternative claimant counts submitted across the area.

This was down only 35 on the same time last year – by comparison, figures revealed for December 23 last year showed a 100 reduction on 12 months earlier; and November 23’s statistics were down 85 claims on 2022.

Graham Donaldson, the Department for Work and Pensions’(dwp) employment and partnership manager for North Lanarkshire, said: “Across our job centres, work coaches are focused on providing every jobseeker with tailored support, helping to build confidence and develop new skills, breaking down the barriers for those re-entering employment.

“Increasing the labour force is a key activity to support businesses fill their vacancies, and to grow the economy.

“Local recruitment events we have planned for February are an Adult Social Care Event in the Clayton Hotel, Glasgow, on February 23 from 11am to 4pm. We will have 29 employers attending on the day and promoting a variety of vacancies within the care sector.

“There will be DWP staff in attendance to support our claimants with navigation around the employers, applications on the day and facilitating any immediate interviews that may take place.

“DWP across the West of Scotland support jobseekers in preparation of the event by holding group information sessions giving up-to-date information on the jobs available and assuring they are prepared to meet with employers.

“We are also planning training courses to support our claimants who wish to gain their CSCS cards and SIA licences/fully funded with after course support as well as guaranteed interview on completion.

“These courses will be open to all claimants across the North Lanarkshire sites. We will be holding group information sessions prior to these training courses to prepare the claimant and provide travel costs to the event.”