Unemployment has dropped in Dumfries and Galloway over the last year.
Figures from the Department of Work and Pensions revealed that the region had a total of 2,440 people looking for work up to November.
And that’s 760 down on the same period last year.
Scottish Secretary Alister Jack said: “Scotland’s labour market continues to demonstrate its resilience, with unemployment remaining close to historic lows and the number of employees on the payroll continuing to rise.
“The UK Government is committed to helping people find and progress in work and to drive sustainable economic growth.”
The figures were described as an alternative claimant count (ACC), with people searching for work categories, and deemed more accurate including those on Universal Credit who are required to look for employment and are on council/housing benefits.
The ACC also disclosed that in the region there were 420 jobless people in the 18 to 24 age group which was 420 down on last November.
And in the 50 and older bracket the figure was 650 unemployed – 310 down on last year.
The DWP’s Youth Employability Coach is working with more vulnerable young people to identify help and support that is available to them locally. The role covers the whole of Dumfries and Galloway.
Work coaches are also actively encouraging customers to follow the help and advice is available on the Gov.UK website https://jobhelp.campaign.gov.uk/.
And employer help also provides useful information for firms on: https://www.gov.uk/government/topical-events/help-for-employers
A DWP spokesman said: “Vacancies continue to be advertised on the Find a Job website and Jobcentre Plus twitter pages. The types of jobs available are more varied than ever, for example there are currently vacancies available in a number of different sectors - https://findajob.dwp.gov.uk/search?loc=86479&p=2.
“We held an open doors recruitment event in Dumfries on October 19. The event was attended by 24 local employers and 93 members of the public were offered work as a direct result of the event.
“Job Centres in Dumfries, Annan and Stranraer are working hard to match job seeking customers to a variety of jobs in a variety of different sectors. Current work is under way to get customers access to jobs for Landal Greenparks, various Social Care providers, Dumfries and Galloway Council, NHS D&G, Stagecoach, Greggs, Ascensos Customer Service, Tescoand Costa Coffee among others.”
