Latest unemployment and Jobcentre vacancy figures released

The latest unemployment and Jobcentre vacancy figures for West Lothian (Job Seekers Allowance (JSA) based figures) have been released. End of seasonal recruitment is partly reflected in both the drop in notified job vacancies and an increase in the number of jobless between December and January.

• The number of JSA jobless in West Lothian for January is 5,217. This is an increase of 493 on the December 2009 figure.
• West Lothian's unemployment rate of 4.9% is higher than both the Scottish (4.5%) and Great Britain (4.3%) rates.
• West Lothian's unemployment rate ranks joint 10th highest with South Ayrshire out of all Scottish local authority areas.
• Youth unemployment (18-24 year olds) in West Lothian for January is 1,600. This is an increase of 125 on the last month.
• There were 632 notified Jobcentre vacancies in January - a net decrease of 144 from December 2009. The ratio of jobseekers to jobcentre vacancies has increased to 8 jobseekers for every vacancy advertised in West Lothian jobcentres. In comparison, Scotland's ratio is 8.6:1, Great Britain is 7.2:1 with West Dunbartonshire having the highest ratio of 23.4:1 (23 jobseekers for every vacancy) of claimants to vacancies of Scottish local authorities.

New Report – Vocational Qualifications Can Boost Earnings

New research conducted by the University of Sheffield and published by the UK Commission for Employment and Skills finds that vocational qualifications frequently have value in the labour market. However, the differences in the pay increases generated between types and levels of vocational qualifications are considerable, being strongly influenced by the type of qualification and the method by which it is acquired. Read more at: http://www.ukces.org.uk/press-release/new-report-vocational-qualifications-can-boost-earnings