Last Friday I held my fourth Jobs Fair – an event where around 36 employers, recruitment agencies and training organisations gathered together in Kidderminster Town Hall.
A good number of people came along, seeking work and training opportunities. But fewer than in the past. It could be that it was a Friday afternoon; or the sun was shining; or it could be that we have seen a reduction in the number of people looking for work locally.
When I was elected in 2010, we had over 2,300 jobseekers claimants – 4.8% of the working population. That compared with 6.1% for the region and 4.8% nationally. That number has dropped to around 1,800 locally, or 3.8% of the local work age people. Whilst regional numbers have to 4.9%, the national number has dropped to 4.0%. IN 2010 we had a similar problem to the national picture: today we are in a stronger position than the country. A significant success, but what of youth unemployment? How have our 18 to 24 year olds faired in the recovery?
IN 2010, youth unemployment was 665, or 9.1%. This was high – higher than the region at 8.9% and way higher than nationally at 7.0%. It was clear Wyre Forest was letting down its youth.
Since then, youth unemployment has dropped to 450 - 6.2% of the population. Whilst this is still higher than nationally at 5.2%, we now have marginally better figures here in Wyre Forest than the rest of the region at 6.3%.
So what have we done to make a difference? Well, the Jobs Fairs certainly help, but I hear far too frequently from employers is that there are plenty of vacancies, but no skills. So we have to tackle that.
Apprenticeships are key. We are still waiting for this year’s figures, but in 2011/12 alone we created 1008 apprentice places in Wyre Forest. We have also opened a new branch of Birmingham Metropolitan College, and Kidderminster College is looking to enter a partnership with Newcastle College – a hugely significant provider of skills training. Even at a high school level, Baxter College is forging links with local engineering companies to promote basic skills.
So the path is changing direction. It can’t happen overnight, but the job of a local MP is to shape the direction of travel. I just can’t imagine why no one put on a Jobs Fair before 2010.