NEW unemployment figures, released last week, have shown a positive improvement in the labour market, with the national claimant count at 792,400 which, according to Jobcentre Plus manager responsible for Whitehill and Bordon Hazel Prior, is down 217,700 since this time last year.

Furthermore, there are a record 14.54million women in work this month, and a continued growth in permanent and full-time work.

All of the 354,000 annual growth in employment has come, it is reported, from permanent employment, and 99 per cent has come from growth in full-time employment.

While, according to the Work and Pensions Secretary Iain Duncan Smith, the South East now has the second lowest unemployment rate of any UK region, in East Hampshire there are 84 (17 per cent) fewer claimants than a year ago.

As the deputy accounts manager responsible for the Bordon, Alton and Peters-field area, Ms Prior said there are currently 418 people claiming unemployment benefit in East Hampshire, of which 85 are aged from 18 to 24, representing a 17-per-cent drop overall since this time last year and a 15-per-cent reduction in those 18 to 24 year olds who are unemployed.

Ms Prior says that the improvement in figures for young people in East Hampshire is a reflection of the determination by Job-centre Plus to work with them to boost their chances of employment.

Jobcentre Plus work coaches are engaging with young claimants to ensure they are confident applying for suitable vacancies and to address any issues that may hold them back from gaining employment.

National Careers Service officers visit Jobcentres on a regular basis and offer help with CV writing and careers advice.

Ms Prior explained: “Our young claimants are encouraged by our work coaches to get themselves ahead with work experience - it makes a CV much more attractive to employers, boosting their employment chances.

“Work experience does often lead to work with the employer too.

“Our Jobcentres have given work experience placements in their own offices and have had some amazing results, with young people moving forward into paid employment with HMRC, Boots and The Forestry Commission.

“We are now offering a paid internship in a craft events team - this is a great chance to become inspired and to gain experience of working within the arts sector, which is a difficult area to break into.

“For those who are interested in a career in construction, we are working with Building Steps at Petersfield, and are able to offer CSCS (Construction Skills Certification Scheme) training and CSCS card, protective footwear and the chance to spend five weeks carrying out general building work on local projects under qualified supervision, and those attending will also gain a qualification and reference.

“With the changes in health and safety training for construction this provides the first step into the building trade.

“And this month will see Jobcentre Plus offering a sector-based work academy in grounds maintenance-horticulture at Bordon for our 18 to 24 year olds.

“This will involve employability training with guaranteed interviews for everyone attending and with jobs available.”

A resounding target set out by the Whitehill and Bordon Regeneration team has been to create 5,500 new jobs as part of the redevelopment of the town.

The aim is for these to be on top of the initial boost provided by the increase in construction roles available over the next decade or two.

This will be made possible, it is hoped, with cross-agency efforts and a combination of employment space, training opportunities and apprenticeship incentives.

Ms Prior added: “Working closely with our providers, we are keen to promote traineeships and apprenticeships. There are plenty to choose from and there should be something to suit everyone.”