OCTOBER has brought good news for job hunters.

East Hampshire MP Damian Hinds has welcomed the news that the number of people in work across the UK remains at a record high. According to this month’s Office for National Statistics (ONS) figures, there are 331,000 more people back in work in the South East since 2010.

Furthermore, the total number of unemployed claimants in East Hampshire remains broadly unchanged at 365, which is 56 per cent lower than 2010.

Mr Hinds, who is also Minister of Employment at the Department for Work and Pensions, said: “We have a record 31.8 million people now in work, which is up 560,000 over the last year and up 2.8 million since 2010. And with the female employment rate at 69.7 per cent, it’s close to the highest since comparable records began in 1971.

“But there’s more to do, particularly when it comes to supporting young people into employment. We want to build a solid base for the future, and that’s why I was pleased to announce the roll-out of our JobCentre Plus Support for Schools scheme in England which will give tens of thousands of young people help in taking their first steps into the world of work.”

In Alton, Hazel Prior, employer adviser for the Department of Work and Pensions, said: “October started really well for our area and seemed to be the month for agencies.”

According to Ms Prior, Best Connection held a recruitment day at Alton JobCentre for production staff to work in a clean environment, with all safety equipment including boots supplied. The agency will be returning on a regular basis.

While the Army careers centre held an information session for those interested in a career with the Armed Forces. The next Army careers sessions will be held on November 1 and December 13.

Alton Bengal Tandoori is looking for full or part-time waiting staff, no experience required, while William Hill held a day of interviews for customer service assistants for local stores.

“For those who like to work in retail but love sport, this is considered to be a great career combination!” said Ms Prior.

Others recruiting include Total Security, who want retail security officers, to benefit from free specialist training, flexible shift patterns and good opportunities to progress; Royal Mail is recruiting for delivery postal workers with driving at Alton sorting office; and Sainsbury’s Alton wants part-time checkout assistants.

In addition, JobCentre Plus is offering claimants a 10-hour ‘Get Motivated’ course from November 8-11. While this course is being delivered in Aldershot, travel costs will be met for those attending from Alton. The course is designed to improve confidence, motivation and self-esteem, and will help in identifying small changes that can be made in lifestyle to improve positivity and feel more healthy.

Also ongoing is a job activity group, which started on October 17, with 19 claimants attending a six-week intensive course offering support, including identifying barriers to employment, realistic aspirations, transferable skills and job seeking.

In highlighting these opportunities, Ms Prior pointed out that the employers mentioned above are just a few of the many who are “looking for staff right now.”.

For more details, call Hazel Prior on 01252 356511.