UNEMPLOYMENT LEVELS FALL: HAS THE LABOUR MARKET RECOVERED?
Manpower and Working Links analyse the ONS Labour Market statistics
Labour market statistics released by the Office of National Statistics
show a rise in the employment rate for people of working age, the
highest since spring 1990 with part time work reporting the highest
result since 1984. Unemployment was down 20,000 in the three months
to May when compared to the previous three months but there was a
fall in the number of people in full time work.¹
“The
ONS statistics reflect the patterns we are seeing in our branches
across the country,” says Hazel Detsiny, Director at Manpower,
“and the results from our Employment Outlook Survey²: -
employers are cautiously optimistic for the quarter ahead. It is encouraging
to see unemployment levels fall but disappointing that a drop in full
time workforces has been recorded.
“Although UK employer
prospects are amongst the most buoyant in Europe², the labour
market remains uncertain. Difficult economic environments continue
in most of Manpower’s markets around the world.”
Working Links, a Manpower joint venture which has helped over 30,000
unemployed people over the last three years get back into work, sees
identifying and channelling the often hidden talents individuals have
as key to reducing unemployment levels:
Says Keith Faulkner, MD of Working Links: ”We are encouraged
to see national statistics reflecting the success we are having in
local communities across Britain and believe this will continue through
the use of solutions tailored to individuals’ needs. For example,
the report cites a rise in the number of self-employed people in work³.
We have been very successful at providing the encouragement and practical
support that our jobseekers need to turn a good idea into a new business.
These entrepreneurs often go on to become employers themselves.”
One such example is Robin Mann from Brighton, who had been unemployed
for nine years, having been made redundant in his forties. Now running
a successful business – Marlin Security Ltd – he has found
the Working Links experience so successful that he now comes back
to Working Links for all his recruitment needs.
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