Figures released today by the Office for National Statistics show that the unemployment rate in Wyre Forest for February was 1.7% of the economically active population aged 16 to 64. The equivalent UK claimant rate was 2.5%.
There were 160 claimants aged 18-24 in Wyre Forest in February 2016, a drop of a third since this time last year.
Mark Garnier MP commented on the figures but particularly wanted to highlight the increasing employment opportunities for young people: ''There is always going to be a gradual levelling out at these low levels of unemployment, especially at this time of year. I'm looking forward to the start of the new financial year from the 1st April, when businesses plan for expansion and new opportunities which mean more job openings. It is also a time of year when many young people are evaluating what to do after their upcoming exams.
One increasingly attractive option is apprenticeships and degree apprenticeships. As this is national apprenticeship week it is a very apt time for us to recognise this route, especially since Wyre Forest has the highest rate of people taking up apprenticeships in Worcestershire and one of the highest in the West Mids. A recent Chartered Management Institute survey found that Chartered Degree Apprenticeships are preferred by 63% of parents, compared to 17% preferring a traditional standalone degree and interestingly 61% of parents favour a Degree Apprenticeship with a major company over an Oxbridge degree, chosen by 39%. Apprenticeships continue to increase in quality and preference and it is a fantastic time for young people to be choosing this route into employment. I'd recommend all young people and parents to take a look at the Worcestershire Apprenticeships website."