Latest unemployment and Jobcentre vacancy figures published

The latest unemployment and Jobcentre vacancy figures are out today for West Lothian (Job Seekers Allowance (JSA) based figures). There is some encouraging news with West Lothian’s unemployment rate now lower than the Scottish average for the first time in two years.

• The number of JSA jobless in West Lothian for October is 4,245. This is a decrease of 164 on the previous month.
• Encouragingly, West Lothian's unemployment rate of 3.7% is just under the Scottish (3.8%) rate; although above the Great Britain (3.5%) rate. West Lothian has not experienced a rate lower than the Scottish average since 2008 and the beginning of the economic downturn. West Lothian's unemployment rate ranks 10th highest out of all Scottish local authority areas.
• Youth unemployment (18-24 year olds) in West Lothian for October is 1,315. This is a decrease of 75 on the last month.
• There were 1,640 notified Jobcentre vacancies in October - a net increase of 566 from August 2010 (Jobcentre Vacancy figures are not available for September due to technical issues at ONS).
• The ratio of jobseekers to jobcentre vacancies stands at 3 jobseekers for every vacancy advertised in West Lothian jobcentres, which is a good improvement on August’s ratio of 5 jobseekers. This compares well with Scotland's ratio of 3.8:1 and Great Britain’s 2.9:1 – North Ayrshire has the highest ratio of 11.7:1 (12 jobseekers for every vacancy) of claimants to vacancies of Scottish local authorities.

Scottish Strategy for Skills Updated

A new strategy designed to make it easier for businesses and individuals to access advice and support on skills has recently been launched. The Scottish Government has refreshed the Skills for Scotland Strategy, which aims to simplify the skills system, empower individuals and employers to access help and support more effectively and better meet the needs of the key economic sectors and industries of the future.

Building on the 2007 skills strategy, it takes into account the changed economic climate and the new challenges facing businesses looking to support sustainable employment.

Learn more about the Strategy

New Housing Association Training Academy Launched

Deputy First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has launched Glasgow Housing Association’s latest campaign to deliver excellent customer service. The Health Minister visited GHA’s new Training Academy to see work take shape on the new facility, where staff will be trained in a number of areas.

The GHA Academy aims to provide a range of learning opportunities, management and staff development courses and skills training. This will include hands-on training for frontline staff, such as housing officers and concierge, so they can deliver higher standards of customer service excellence. Some of the academy’s programmes will even lead to nationally recognised qualifications.

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