Jobs and wages in York

Figures published by ONS last month on wage levels in the city caused a panic with some commentators.

The figures suggested that median wage levels in the City had fallen by 9.4% compared to the previous year.

But had they?

According to ONS gross wages were £384.10. The previous year – on the back of an unlikely 5.6% increase – the median wage had been £423.80?

So had workers really seen a £40 a week drop in earnings?

If so, what went wrong?

Most people seem to have forgotten that the published figures are provisional. The final figures will not be available until later in the year. The figures are based on a sample of returns from employers. The sample size changes. ONS advised caution in using short term figures to demonstrate a trend.

As well as the reduction in wages, the ONS figures also say that the City also saw a drop of 3000 in the number of jobs.  Against the background of a record high (and stable) number in employment in the York, that alone suggests a sampling error.

Looking beyond gross pay, a further breakdown indicates that the fall had mainly been down to a reduction in overtime payments. Given the uncertainty in the market as a result of BREXIT, it would not be surprising if there was a slowing down in economic activity. Less overtime would be an obvious symptom of a more cautious approach to investment

However, the most likely explanation for the blip, is that the figures are just plain wrong!

Source ONS

New employment figures show York has highest number of jobs ever seen

Newly published statistics from the ONS reveal that York now has the highest number of jobs ever seen in the city.

It was revealed that York had a 5% growth in its employment over 2017, leading to an increase of 5,000 new jobs, leaping from 101,000, to 106,000.

Across the region, employment increased on average by 2%, with York seeing the largest increase with 5%.  These figures put York in the top 10% performing local authorities in England for employment growth.  For example, the city’s employment growth was stronger than Nottingham, Manchester, Leeds and Cambridge.

Om review, 500 jobs were created in the manufacturing sector, 1,000 in professional scientific and technical businesses and 1,000 in food and drink businesses.

Cllr Keith Aspden, Liberal Democrat Executive Member for Economic Development and Community Engagement, said:

“I am delighted to see that York’s economy is continuing to grow, despite the economic pressures felt elsewhere in the UK.”

“With such an impressive growth in the city’s employment, our residents will continue to benefit from a range of opportunities here in the city.”

“We will continue to work with partners to ensure that York remains a fantastic place to live, work and visit.  The ONS figures are a testament to the progress we have made.”

To view the ONS data, please visit: https://www.nomisweb.co.uk/reports/lmp/la/1946157112/report.aspx#tabidbr. 

Liberal Democrats support Love Yor-k High Street

The Liberal Democrats are encouraging local residents to get behind the ‘Love Yor-k High Street’ campaign; a celebration of local retail in York.

Love Your High Street initiative in YorkThe Love Yor-k High Street campaign aims to encourage shoppers to buy locally, in an effort to support York’s local high streets.  The campaign has also launched a petition to call for business rate reform and help for the UK’s high streets.  You can read more and sign the petition here.

On Saturday 22nd September, a roadshow will be held in Kings Square, as part of the campaign, with local retailers and the York BID to promote local high street shops. On the day, participating businesses will be offering extra treats for customers, such as free gifts, discounts and special offers.

Recently, the national Liberal Democrats published a comprehensive blueprint for replacing the broken business rates system, cutting taxes for businesses by 5% in York.  The report calls for the abolition of business rates and its replacement with a tax on land values, the Commercial Landowner Levy (CLL).  The levy would remove buildings and machinery from calculations and tax only the land value of commercial sites, boosting investment and cutting taxes for businesses.

Cllr Keith Aspden, Leader of the Liberal Democrat Group, commented:

“It is so important that we continue to maintain York’s rich and vibrant high street, particularly at a time where high streets nationally are facing challenges. The Love Yor-k High Street campaign does exactly this and I would like to thank the organisers.

“I hope that as many people as possible can attend the roadshow on the 22nd September and turn out to support their local high street.”

“I would also encourage everyone to add their name to the Love Yor-k High Street petition and join the calls for business rate reform. Business rates were a badly designed policy to begin with and have become an unacceptable drag on our economy.”

York named as future technology hub

 York is the only city in the north of England to make it on to a top-ten-list of towns and cities that are expected to dominate the UK’s tech scene in the future.

Compiled by job search engine ‘Joblift’, the list includes cities with populations under 200,000 that have both high numbers of tech jobs and a high percentage of tech jobs compared to the wider market place.

Cities also scored extra points for having a university which is listed in the top 500 universities worldwide for Engineering and Technology degrees.
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Apprenticeship and training event in York on Thursday

City of York Council will be hosting the York Apprenticeship & Training event at West Offices on Thursday 31 August, 4-7pm.

This event will show young people what their options are for their next steps following the recent publication of A-Level and GCSE exam results.

Hundreds of apprenticeship vacancies throughout York will be on offer along with training and employment opportunities in business, finance, marketing, hospitality, engineering, construction, childcare and many other areas.

Employers confirmed include Nestlé, NFU Mutual, City of York Council, Network Rail, Gear 4 Music, Persimmon Homes and the Royal Air Force. There will also be a special spotlight on careers in the hospitality sector, with The Principal Hotel doing mocktail demonstrations, Marriott York making and serving canapés and Betty’s, Park Inn and Hilton Hotel available to talk to.

Councillor Keith Aspden, deputy leader of the council and responsible for economic development and York Skills Plan said, “This ever-popular event offers the chance for young people and their parents to meet recruiting employers, and gain support and advice on apprenticeship vacancies as they look to start their career.

“Young people are increasingly recognising that an apprenticeship has a great deal to offer in helping to build a successful career and can be of great benefit to businesses as well.

“We are happy to support young people and businesses with such events and as a council we are committed to helping businesses to create apprenticeship jobs and take on young talent to support their business grow.

I hope many young people take the opportunity to visit.”

More than 500 young people attended the York Apprenticeship Recruitment event in March.

As well as employers, young people will also be able to talk with apprenticeship training providers, current apprentices, local universities and support services offering 1 to 1 careers information, advice and guidance. Anyone attending is encouraged to bring a copy of their CV to distribute to potential employers.

The event takes place between 4pm and 7pm and is open to people aged between 16 and 24, along with their parents.

For more information on the event, contact the City of York Council-led York Apprenticeship Hub by emailing york.apprenticeships@york.gov.uk, phoning 01904 553732 or searching for the York Apprenticeships page on Facebook.

Unemployment levels stable in York

Latest figures released by the ONS confirm that employment levels in York continue to be stable.

There were 945 claimants in January 0.7% of the population. Of these,  630 were men and 320 women.

The number of claimants dropped by 55 compared to January 2016.

The count includes 574 who are claiming job seekers allowance.

Nationally the UK has an employment rate of 73.7%. This compares to an EU average of 67.1%.

York job centre has around 5000 vacancies listed.

Minster advertises for new “Head of Bell Tower”

keep-calm-i-m-a-bell-ringerThe following job advert has been published by the Minster

Experienced Bell Ringers are invited to apply for the role of Head of Bell Tower at York Minster.  The successful applicant will help us to recruit and establish our new band of volunteer Bell Ringers. Initially a 12 month fixed term appointment (to be reviewed within 12 months), this is expected to require an average 10 hours per week.

York Minster is the Cathedral Church of the Diocese of York and the Metropolitical Cathedral for the Northern Province of the Church of England.   It is a masterpiece in stained glass and stone, with foundations rooted in the nation’s earliest history. Today, as a working cathedral, we invite everyone to share God’s love through our welcome, worship, learning and work.   Our values are courage, wisdom and trust.

The ring of 12 bells in York Minster are widely regarded by experienced change ringers as some of the best sounding bells in the country. The Head of Bell Tower will be responsible for the recruitment and development of a skilled band of York Minster Bell Ringers to lead change ringing for Sunday services and for other special services and occasions in York.

The role will average 10 hours a week including practice (currently Tuesday evenings) ringing on Sundays (9.30-10.30am) and special services and festivals.  Attendance during office hours will be required at least six times a year for training. Initial induction for the role will occur over three days.

Salary c.£7000 per annum

Fixed term appointment

To apply please download an application pack, application form and equality and diversity monitoring form. Completed applications should be emailed to jobs@yorkminster.org or addressed to Victoria Imada, HR and Volunteering Administrator, Church House, 10 – 14 Ogleforth, York, YO1 7JN.

Applications should arrive no later than 5pm on Sunday 26th February 2017. Interviews will be held in York on Saturday 11th March 2017.

Other jobs advertised at the Minster can be found by clicking here

Small increase in number of York jobseekers

ONS statistics released today show an increase of 15 residents claiming Jobseekers Allowance (JSA) and Universal Credit claimants (out of work) in November compared to last month’s figures meaning there are now 955 claimants in the city.

recruitmentfullHowever this is a decrease of 45 residents from November 2015.

The figures show a 19.4 per cent fall in the number of people claiming Jobseekers Allowance in the past twelve months.

The Jobseekers Allowance claimant count for York represents 0.4 per cent of the working population which contrasts to the regional average which stands at 1.5 per cent. The figures are also much lower than the national average which stands at 1.2 per cent. (more…)