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Employment and training

Catch22 responds to latest unemployment figures

Bars are set up next to a laptop to give a physical representation of a bar chart. The bar chart shows that the trend is increasing over time.

Employment numbers are down again, according to the latest ONS figures, with the number of people in work decreasing by 220,000 on the quarter.

Victoria Head, Director of Employability at Catch22, which provides employability support for those furthest away from the job market, responds to today’s figures.

She said:

“The most concerning thing about today’s statistics is that it’s those who struggle to find jobs at the best of times who are being most affected. Young people, those who traditionally take on more routine work and those who face barriers to work, such as single parents or those with additional needs, are least likely to be in employment and are finding it difficult to make ends meet.  Unfortunately, the situation looks to get even worse as those who are currently furloughed face further uncertainty when the furlough scheme ends in October.

“But we have to hold onto the positives; the number of job vacancies is beginning to increase and with the recent Government announcements incentivising employers to take on apprentices and offer traineeships and work placements, there are opportunities out there. We know that certain sectors are recruiting more than others – tech, construction, health and social care – so the onus is on job seekers, and those organisations supporting them, to focus on upskilling or reskilling to meet that demand.”