Robert Lloyd - a Sir Gar Blog of random news . . . and some Clecs!

Latest figures show that unemployment continues to fall in Carmarthenshire making it one of the lowest claimant areas in Wales. There has been a decrease of 23% in the number of claimants over a period of 12 months, from 3,211 in June 2013 to 2,472 in June this year. It continues to fall with a further decrease of 6.8%, or 181 people, in the last month, now ranking Carmarthenshire as sixth lowest in Wales for Jobseekers Allowance claims, and lower than the Welsh average. In particular, the number of young jobseekers aged between and 18 and 24 has plummeted over a 12 month period. Statistics show that claimants in that age bracket fell by over a third from June 2013 to June 2014 – from 995 to 645. Many young claimants have found work in the retail and hospitality sectors. Jobcentre Employer and Partnerships Manager Menna Davies said: “The good news continues for Carmarthenshire with a drop of 815 claimants on the Jobseekers Allowance register.” Figures for Carmarthenshire show that ma...

Unemployment has plummeted in parts of the Llanelli area over the last three months, latest figures reveal. Burry Port has seen the largest drop with 24% less people claiming Jobseekers Allowance, followed by Dafen and Lliedi at 18%, Felinfoel and Glanymor by 16%, and Trimsaran by 15%. 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. In particular, the number of young jobseekers aged between and 18 and 24 has plummeted over a 12 month period. Statistics show that claimants in that age bracket fell by over a third from June 2013 to June 2014 – from 995 to 645. Many young claimants have found work in the retail and hospitality sectors. Asda in Llanelli tow...

Carmarthenshire Communities First teams in partnership with Jobs Growth Wales are tackling the challenges facing young people in one of the toughest jobs markets by finding unique employment opportunities. They are helping young people aged 16-24 that are job ready but have had difficulty securing employment by offering exclusive job placements, paid at or above the national minimum wage for a minimum of 25 hours per week. The programme focuses on helping young people living specifically within the Carmarthenshire cluster areas, to gain high-quality work experience in order to progress into sustained employment or, where appropriate an apprenticeship. Communities First Jobs Growth Wales Mentor Hannah Evans said:”If you are job-ready and just need a chance to gain the work experience that you may be lacking, this could be an opportunity for you.” Executive Board Member Regeneration and Leisure, Cllr Meryl Gravell said: “This is a fantastic opportunity for young people seeking employme...

A Llanelli man has transformed his life after being helped to get his first job in 14 years. Mark Simlett had been the sole carer for both his parents for many years, and after his father’s death continued to care for his mother. When his mother passed away in 2009, Mark was hit hard. He said: “For a long time I was very lost. Looking back, it was a scary place to be – I had to dig deep to get through each day.” Despite his best efforts to gain stability by finding employment, 54-year-old Mark had been out of work for so long he was unable to get any job interviews. As a result, he turned to Workways for support and thanks to them has now secured two cleaning jobs – one with CBSA for Business and Social Action and one with Five Roads Primary School. South West Workways, an EU-backed employment project, helped Mark through a confidence building course; training and CV assistance; support to search for job vacancies, and access to a paid temporary job which gave him the vital experie...

A group of long-term unemployed jobseekers were bussed into London to work as unpaid stewards during the diamond jubilee celebrations and told to sleep under London Bridge before working on the river pageant. See Guardian story.

BBC News - Unemployment figures down for second month in a row Unemployment in Wales has fallen for the second consecutive month. The number of people out of work between October and December last year fell by 3,000 to 134,000. The previous three-month figure from the Office for National Statistics showed a slight drop of 1,000.

Menter Cwm Gwendraeth has been given the go ahead to work with economically inactive people in Carmarthenshire. The Engagement Gateway has been developed as a collaborative venture by the Welsh European Funding Office (WEFO), Welsh Government and Wales Council for Voluntary Action. Health Link Co-ordinator David Saywell said: “Many individuals have multiple barriers which need to be overcome before they are ready for work. The aim will be to prepare people for employment through the use of a range of activities that build the confidence and skills needed to begin the process of starting or returning to work. “This will not only benefit the people who take part but will also help to bring together and develop the most disadvantaged communities in Carmarthenshire. I aim to work with people who are under-represented in the working population, such as older people, women and people with work-limiting health conditions, and also to ensure that people who live in the most deprived communitie...