FEWER jobseekers are claiming Universal Credit in Swindon as the Jobcentre hosts events and recruitment drives to help people find employment.

As of November 2021, 5,089 people on benefits were looking for work - which is 2,168 (27 per cent) fewer than in 2020 but 2,308 (66 per cent) more than five years ago.

Of these claimants, 899 were aged 18 to 24, which is 599 (40 per cent) fewer than in 2020 but 334 (59 per cent) more than in 2017.

Overall - when including people who are not seeking work and relying on Universal Credit for other support - there were 20,722 people receiving it in Swindon in February , which is 73 more than in January.

Employers and customers praised the Way to Work event held in Canal Walk earlier this month, which was the first large-scale face-to-face event the centre had organised since before the pandemic, and it has led to people being offered job opportunities.

The jobcentre’s team looks at the bigger economic picture to help plan for new jobs which are coming to the town or suggest alternatives when demand dips. Swindon is now a major logistics hub, with employers such as GXO, Science Museum Group, and Amazon working with the Jobcentre to promote their vacancies.

Other industries, like construction, are thriving due to extensive housebuilding and commercial developments such as the new Zurich HQ. The health and social care and administration sectors are doing well, too.

Staff are awaiting news on which firms will occupy the new facilities being built by Panattoni on the old Honda site, are contacting battery giant GS Yuasa as it prepares new headquarters to open in Dorcan next year, and are helping Smyths Toys recruit for the new Greenbridge store.

Swindon Jobcentre manager Sam Edwards said: “We’re focusing on working with local employers to rapidly match up their vacancies with the right jobseekers, inviting many businesses into our jobcentre, and holding regular jobs fairs.

“Importantly, our Way to Work campaign has given us all the impetus to support more people into an all-time high level of vacancies.

“I believe the best way to help those having difficulty getting back to work is meeting employers face to face,  so we work to bring employers and those looking for work together, whether at recruitment days such as our Way to Work Big Event or through use of our Job Clubs and regular customer interactions

“We’ve been contacting employers who have assisted with the economic recovery from Covid by offering kickstart jobs for our 18-24 year old customers with a view to continuing to recruit for them as Kickstart comes to a close.”

For more information, visit gov.uk/waytowork or twitter.com/jcpinwiltshire