Rochdale borough sees decline in claimant count as job centres strengthen employment support

The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has revealed a decrease in the claimant count for Rochdale Borough, with numbers dropping to 9,755. This includes a 1% reduction in claimants aged 18-24, though there has been no change in the number of claimants aged 50 and over compared to the same period last year.

Christine English, DWP partnership manager, emphasised the range of services offered to job seekers at local job centres.

She said: “Job seekers looking to move forward in their career will find the inspiration and support they need at their local job centre.

“Developing a relationship with their work coaches can prove extremely beneficial to set them on the right path, taking into account their personal circumstances.”

Rochdale, Heywood, and Middleton job centres have taken significant steps to connect jobseekers with employment opportunities through the ongoing development of Sector Work Academy Programmes (SWAPs).

These programmes are currently being offered in sectors such as bus driving, retail, and a new initiative focused on childcare, aimed at addressing the borough’s skills gap. This effort also aligns with DWP’s broader commitment to enhancing childcare support for parents on Universal Credit.

Christine added: “We’re bringing employers and customers face-to-face at Rochdale job centres, taking steps out of the recruitment process and simplifying the method,”

“For the employers we are currently working with, this has proven to be the most effective way to help our customers enter the workplace.”

The borough’s job centres are also working closely with the Rochdale Health Alliance, which collaborates with the NHS to help fill vacancies across Greater Manchester’s primary care settings.

Looking ahead, Rochdale will host an Autumn Jobs Fair on 25 September in partnership with Rochdale Council. Employers wishing to participate and fill their vacancies are encouraged to contact the local job centre or Rochdale Council.

English also highlighted the ongoing support for parents receiving Universal Credit, who can access help with childcare payments. Additionally, job seekers are encouraged to use the DWP’s ‘FindaJob’ website, which currently lists thousands of job opportunities.

North west employment trends

The latest statistics from the DWP for the North West show an overall positive trend in employment.

The number of people employed has risen to 3.577 million, up by 5,000 from the previous quarter and by 15,000 compared to last year.

The employment rate for those aged 16-64 remains steady at 73.1%, marking a slight increase of 0.2% on the previous quarter.

Unemployment figures in the region have also improved, with the number of people out of work dropping to 168,000, down 24,000 over the quarter and 29,000 year-on-year. The unemployment rate now stands at 4.5%, a significant drop of 0.6% on the quarter and 0.8% over the year.

There are currently 504,000 people living in non-working households across the north west.

For further information about upcoming employment initiatives or to register interest in the Autumn Jobs Fair, local employers are urged to contact their nearest job centre.