UNEMPLOYMENT levels have remained the same in the Malvern Hills district.

In Malvern Hills, those collecting jobseekers allowance is the same as last year, standing at 440, a reduction of 520 in the last five years according to the Office for National Statistics.

Of these there are 110 people aged between 18 and 24. This is down by 20 people from last year and down by 185 in the last 5 years.

Malvern Job Centre has been promoting filling seasonal retail vacancies for both employers, including this week for Prezzo and TAAAS.

Malvern hosted an RAF Outreach event on Monday with a group of young people, giving them the opportunity to improve their interview and team building skills.

The number of people seeking work in Worcester has declined by 60 from last year to 975, which is a decline of 1,320 in the last 5 years.

Of these, there are 230 jobseekers aged between 18 and 24 and this is down by 45 people from last year and 420 in the last 5 years.

Worcester Job Centre has worked with the Greene King Bluebell Farm pub being built in Nunnery Park.

There were 80 vacancies and these have been mostly filled as a result of training provided to support job seeking applicants, and through interviews.

Home Bargains were in Worcester Jobcentre on October 17 successfully interviewing for ten vacancies.

The number of jobseekers has risen in the Wychavon District by 25 from last year to reach 660 but is down by 1,059 over the last five years.

Of the 660 jobseekers there are 145 people aged between 18 and 24. This figure is up by 5 on last year and down by 380 since 5 years ago

Evesham Job centre hosted a jobs fair on Friday October 6 which had 17 employers on site.

They also organised 30 recruitment interviews for the opening of Poundstretcher, which has resulted in eight potential job offers.

Female employment in the West Midlands is at a record high. Female employment is up 30,000 over the quarter to 1.26 million.

The employment level in the West Midlands has risen by 58,000 on the quarter.

Nationally, unemployment is down 52,000 on the quarter and remains at its lowest rate since 1975.

The employment rate 75.1 percent with 32.10 million people in work.