Number of young people claiming job related benefits rises in all four Black Country boroughs
The number of young people in the Black Country claiming job related benefits has increased by as much as 10 per cent in some areas, latest figures show.
Figures from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) show the number of 18 to 24-year-olds claiming benefits has risen in all four of the Black Country boroughs.
Walsall has seen a 10 per cent increase year on year, in Dudley it’s nine per cent, in Sandwell it’s six per cent and in Wolverhampton it’s four.
Despite this the DWP has said ‘we’re seeing vacancies across almost every sector’ as it moved to highlight the opportunities on offer for jobseekers.
Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, Pat McFaddon, who is MP for Wolverhampton South East, acknowledged there’s “more to do to get people into jobs” and he said the government is “trebling the number of jobcentres on wheels, bringing a youth hub to every area in Great Britain and giving every young person the chance to earn or learn with our Youth Guarantee”.
The DWP has highlighted a raft of opportunities in the Black Country for young people seeking work.
Olivia Nicholls, senior employer lead for the DWP in Sandwell, said: “With spring just around the corner, we’re ready to support even more jobseekers and local employers.
“Right now, we’re seeing vacancies across almost every sector, including apprenticeship opportunities.
“For example, in Smethwick, roles include an apprentice light vehicle technician with Mercedes and store leader roles at Clarks Group.
“In Wolverhampton, employers are recruiting for roles such as call operators with NHS Jobs and CCTV rig leads at Vector Recruitment Solutions.
“Over in Walsall, opportunities range from shift supervisors at Mitchells & Butlers PLC to vehicle collection drivers with Trade Plate Jobs. And in Dudley, vacancies include finance officers at Marchant Recruitment and care assistant roles with HC-One Ltd.”
She said the DWP is working employers such as West Bromwich Albion, who are currently recruiting matchday retail assistants, and Sandwell College, which is offering training linked roles and opportunities locally.
She added that jobs fairs in the region have been “a real success” with more events planned soon including Walsall Jobs Fair by the Bridge on March 26, at Bescot Stadium.
Youth employment opportunities are also offered through the DWP’s Youth Hubs, including the Sandwell Youth Hub at YMCA West Bromwich, which supports young people aged 18 to 24 to build confidence, access training and connect directly with employers.
Sarah Moorhouse, chief executive of Black Country Chamber of Commerce, said young people across the region were facing an increasingly difficult jobs market.
She said: “In Dudley, Sandwell, Walsall and Wolverhampton, there is a rise in unemployment among 18 to 24-year-olds which is a concerning trend.
“Taken with the wider West Midlands statistics, it’s a gloomy outlook and echoes what our members are telling us: they are less confident about hiring due to rising employment costs and mounting employment legislation.
"Labour costs remain one of the biggest challenges facing Black Country businesses. When firms are struggling with these pressures, young people are the first to miss out on opportunities.
“We want the Government to work in partnership with businesses to create the conditions where employers feel recruitment of new staff is an option - particularly young people starting their careers."
The picture is brighter for people over 50 seeking employment.
Across all four Black Country boroughs the number of jobseekers aged 50-plus has decreased.
Wolverhampton has seen the lowest year on year drop - 11 per cent; while in Sandwell the figure has dropped by 10 per cent, in Walsall it’s fallen by nine per cent and Dudley has seen a seven per cent fall in over 50s on the claimant count.
This has helped to boost the overall figures locally.
All four boroughs have seen the claimant count for all ages fall year on year. Wolverhampton has seen the biggest year on year drop in people claiming job-related benefits - at seven per cent; Walsall and Sandwell have both seen a five per cent drop and Dudley has seen its claimant count fall by four per cent.
Across the West Midlands the unemployment rate stands at 6.1 per cent, with 395,000 people in non-working households, up 0.1 per cent on the quarter and up 1.9 per cent on the year, latest figures (for October to December) from the ONS show.
The data shows the region has 2.9 million in employment (73 per cent) - down 0.7 per cent on the quarter and down 1.2 per cent year on year.
