Unemployment figures in Sefton have remained constant, bucking national figures which show that the jobless total rose by more than 25,000 in the last three months.
In Sefton, 4,900 people claimed Jobseekers Allowance (JSA) or Universal Credit between April and June, a difference of just two compared to the same period last year.
The figures for youth unemployment were less positive though, with 1,329 18-24 year-olds claiming out of work benefits, a rise of 66.
Despite this, Alan Harrison, press officer for the Department of Work and Pensions for Merseyside, said that the figures represented an overall success.
He said: “It would be unfair to take those figures out of proportion. This is the time of the year when a lot of graduates are added to the figures and employers are about to be hiring more people.
“We are still confident that we’re on track. We’re now working with new employers and that gives us a lot of confidence.”
Mr Harrison also said that the department was working with three major employers, including one based in Southport and another in Crosby, with regards to training people for jobs in the medium to long term future. It is expected that this will lead to the creation of 250 jobs later this year.
He added: We have got more vacancies than at any point in the last five years. There’s lots of full time jobs and many quality part-time jobs.
“The jobs we have got, a lot are at the top, and the others, it might not be your dream but at least it gets you in front of an employer”.
Mr Harrison backed a scheme announced by the government on Wednesday which is designed to get young people on to work-experience placements.
Thirty companies, including Marks and Spencer, are creating opportunities for youngsters to spend time at work, with more expected to follow.
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