Carmarthen town centre gives youngsters a jobs boost

Hundreds of young people have had jobs in Carmarthen thanks to town centre development.
Latest figures reveal that the number of jobseekers aged between 18 and 24 has fallen by over a third since this time last year – from 995 to 645.
Many young claimants have found work in Carmarthen town centre through the opening of new shops and businesses.
Jobcentre Employer and Partnerships Manager Menna Davies said: “The retail and hospitality sectors have contributed considerably to these reductions over the last six months, with Carmarthen town showing particular buoyancy with several major recruitments with national businesses and small medium size enterprises also showing signs of confidence and recruiting again.”
Unemployment generally has fallen across Carmarthenshire with a decrease of 23% over a period of 12 months.
The number of claimants went down from 3,211 in June 2013 to 2,472 in June this year, and continues to fall with a further decrease of 6.8%, or 181 people, in the last month.
Carmarthenshire is now ranked as the sixth lowest authority in Wales for Jobseekers Allowance claims.
County council Leader Cllr Kevin Madge said the figures showed that the policy of regeneration and job creation was working.
“These figures speak for themselves,” Cllr Madge said. “Our investment and regeneration programmes are all about job creation .
“It is excellent news for Carmarthenshire to see that this policy and all the hard work and commitment is paying off.
“In Carmarthen the St Catherine’s Walk development has certainly been a catalyst in attracting even more investment into the town centre, and this continues to provide more jobs for our young people.”
More employment opportunities will be available at a Jobs Fair taking place in St Peter’s Hall on Thursday, October 16.
It is being organised by the Jobcentre and there will be a number of vacancies on offer.