Number of York jobseekers falls for seventh consecutive month

Job-HuntingFigures released today that show the number of York residents claiming Job Seekers Allowance has fallen by 47.6 per cent in the last 12 months.

The statistics, released by the Office for National Statistics (ONS), show there are now 722 claimants in York, a fall of 41 from last month and of 653 from September 2014.

Today’s figures showed the number of jobseekers in York has fallen for the seventh consecutive month and also highlighted a 67.2 per cent fall in the Youth unemployment count since September 2014.

The claimant count represents 0.5 per cent of the working population and contrasts to the regional average which stands at 2.2 per cent. The figures are also much lower than the national average which stands at 1.6 per cent.

The news comes following last month’s York Jobs Fair which attracted over 800 residents taking the chance to gain advice and speak to a number of businesses about vacancies in the city.

There are a large number of job vacancies in York at present (click) including a number at the Council (click)

Event to help young people make Steps to Success

Job-Search-AppsCity of York Council’s annual Steps to Success event is back at York Racecourse on Tuesday 20 October.

Held in the Knavesmire Stand from 3.30pm until 8.00pm, the event will provide information about the range of education and training opportunities available (including apprenticeships and other work based training).

The event looks to support young people in the city as they consider their options for Key Stage 4 and Post-16 education, training or employment, particularly as all current year 11 pupils now have to remain in training or education until the age of 18.

Young people will be able to access information from five different information zones at the session; Key Stage 4, Post-16, Progression to Higher Education, Career Pathways and Support Services, as well as the opportunity to hear about the experiences of current learners.

Attendees will also be able to view a series of presentations of around 15 minutes offering advice on Options for Key Stage 4 and Beyond, Options for Post 16 Education and Training, apprenticeships, Progression to Higher Education and Future Job Opportunities will run throughout the event.

Councillor Jenny Brooks, Executive member for Education, Children and Young People said: “This popular annual event provides young people and their parents and carers with information and advice about their options for the future. As a council we are committed to supporting young people across the city and helping them meet their aspirations. Through work with a range of schools, employers, training providers and universities, Steps to Success looks to offer the opportunity for young people to consider their next steps as well as the longer term progression routes and higher education options that are available to young people.”

City of York Council has worked in partnership with the University of York and York St John University to stage the event, as part of its commitment to widening participation in Higher Education.

For any additional information please contact Beverley Wills, 14-19 Support Adviser, City of York Council on 01904 553008 orbeverley.wills@york.gov.uk .

York to host seventh jobs fair

US-unemployment-jobs-fair-007City of York Council’s inviting jobseekers and residents wanting to change jobs or improve their skills and qualifications to attend a jobs fair at York Railway Institute on Tuesday 29 September.

The event, which has been organised through partnerships between the council, York Learning, Job Centre Plus and Learning City York is sponsored by Hiscox and will be open to residents from 10am to 3pm.

A range of employers will be present at the event, along with training providers and other agencies offering free advice for people to improve their skills and assist them in their search for employment.

The council and its partners have lined up 60 businesses who are currently recruiting in York, including;  Hiscox, Network Rail, Asda, Langleys Solicitors LLP, North Yorkshire Police, Smyths Toys, Richard Preston and Son Ltd (Logistics), Marks and Spencer, City of York Council, Portakabin, TSYS financial services, Best Western (Hotels & Administration) and many others.

The fair will also have a designated quiet area to enable residents to fill in application forms with the help of some excellent local skills and training providers.
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Unemployment level in York fairly stable – 0.7% now seeking work

Figures released today by the Office of National Statistics confirm that employment levels in York remain fairly stable.

  • 976 people were seeking work and claiming Job Seekers Allowance/Unemployed Universal Credit at 9th July.unemployed_queue_benefits_DWP
  • This represented 0.7% of the population.
  • Of the job seekers, 665 were men and 321 women.
  • The figures remain below the regional (2.4%) and national (1.9%) averages

Increased Funding to help local businesses hire apprentices

ApprenticeshipSmall and Medium Sized businesses across York are being invited to apply for a grant to help them hire an apprentice and grow their business.

Following an announcement from the Leeds City Region Enterprise Partnership (LEP) businesses in York can now benefit from a local grant of up to £2,000 thanks to the LEP’s Apprenticeship Grant for Employers (AGE). The aim of the grant is to support businesses and help them recruit young people, aged 16-24, into employment and help them start their career.

The new LEP Apprenticeship Grant replaces the national apprenticeship grant incentive for businesses in West Yorkshire and York as agreed in the first stage devolution agreement with government in March 2015. Funding for businesses will be available until 31 December.
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York event to encourage businesses to ‘go digital’

keep-calm-and-go-digital

 York businesses are being invited to a free drop-in event where they can find out more about the city’s digital future, speak to businesses and gain advice at an event on Thursday 16 July.

Amongst the raft of information available to visitors at Middleton’s Hotel, Skeldergate from 10am-3pm will be advice on how a £3,000 Connection Voucher can rejuvenate local businesses in the city and the City Centre WiFi project.

Since April 2014 over 200 businesses and registered charities have received a Connection Voucher to speed up their broadband. Suppliers and City of York Council staff will be on hand to offer information and advice on the scheme and answer any questions attendees may have.

Special guests for this month’s event are Google Digital Garage who will be on hand to talk to small and medium sized businesses about how they can learn and benefit from new digital skills and use the internet to grow and attract more customers. Other companies at the event include: TalkTalk, Landlord Broadband, York Data Services, Agile, BT and Pinacl plus many more.
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Further fall in number of York jobseekers and residents claiming benefits

 National statistics released today have revealed the number of residents claiming Job Seekers Allowance in York has fallen again.

Figures released today by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) have shown the number of York residents claiming Job Seekers Allowance has again fallen.

The number of claimants in York has fallen by 50.3 percent in the last year.

There are now 889 claimants in York, a fall of 52 from last month and of 901 from May 2014.

The claimant count represents 0.7 percent of the working population and contrasts to the regional average which stands at 2.5 percent. The figures are also much lower than the national average which stands at 1.8 percent.

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Indecision grips York Council’s Environmental Services Director recruitment?

Jobs for the boys and girls

It looks like there could be a gap of over 18 months before a new senior manager is appointed to administer the Environmental Services Directorate at the York Council. The Directorate has many important responsibilities covering transport, planning, the Community Stadium and the York central development together with other economic development projects.

Darren Richardson left the post in June 2014 in the wake of the Lendal Bridge fiasco. He was replaced by a (somewhat controversial) consultant whose contract is due to expire on 9th July.

It looks like the Council are set to temporarily promote one of its existing staff to take up the responsibility pending a report on other aspects of the senor management structure at the Council.

It looks like this re-organisation report will not be ready until December 2015!

A report to a meeting taking place on 22nd June recommends that non Council staff would also be able to apply for the temporary post during a narrow widow of opportunity between 26th June and 10th July 

The post will be advertised on the Council’s jobs web site and could attract a, pro rata, salary of around £90,000 pa.

The York Council jobs web site can be accessed by clicking here https://jobs.york.gov.uk/index.aspx

As we remarked on Friday; it is one of what seems to be a proliferation of web sites now operated by the York Council (to the general confusion of many citizens)

York eleventh in foreign visitor league

According to new figures published by ONS, York attracted fewer foreign visitors than its neighbour Leeds last year. The City was also behind both Oxford and Cambridge

City visits by foreign visitors 2014

The visitors included those on business trips and well as holidaymakers.

Neither the York Council nor Visit York have as yet commented on the new figures.

There was an increase in the number of visits to the UK by overseas residents for the fourth consecutive year in 2014, and the highest number of visits since the IPS began in 1961. It also had the highest recorded spending.

In 2014 overseas residents made 34.4 million visits to the UK, 5.2% higher than in 2013.

Earnings from visits to the UK reached a record level of spending in the UK of £21.8 billion, they increased by £0.6 billion (2.8%) compared to 2013.

The number of nights spent in the UK rose to 264.6 million, an increase of 7.8% compared to the previous year.

Visits from North America and Europe increased in 2014 by 3.3% and 6.6% respectively. Spending from North America and Europe also grew by 11.6% and 4.2%. However, visits and spending by visitors from “Other Countries” showed a decline of 0.2% and 2.9% respectively.

Holidays remain the main reason for visits to the UK, accounting for 13.6 million visits, a rise of 7.2% compared with 2013. Business visits and visits to friends and family both showed a growth of 4.8%.

A record 17.4 million overnight visits to London were made by overseas residents in 2014, an increase of 0.6 million (3.5%) from 2013, and £11.8 billion was spent on these visits.

Overnight visits to the rest of England grew by 5.1% to 14.2 million. Visits to Scotland and Wales also continued to rise in 2014, with Scottish visits up 11.5% and Welsh up 7.3%.

UK residents made 4.0% more visits abroad and spent £1.0 billion (3.0%) more during these visits in 2014 than 2013. The length of visit also increased, up 1.9% to 616.5 million nights.