THE number of unemployed people claiming benefits in the three local districts has risen since last year.

In Malvern Hills, the number of unemployed people has risen by 110 to 540 from this time last year. The number of 18-24 year olds has remained the same at 125.

In Malvern, there will be a jobs fair on Wednesday April 25 at Malvern Library.

The job centre in Malvern will be supporting Audley Luxury Retirement Village to recruit now for their opening in July.

They are supporting Morrisons to recruit 24 staff following the refit.

In Worcester district for February, the claimant count is 1,090, a rise of 55 since last year. The number of 18 to 24 year olds claiming unemployment benefit has risen by 20 to 235.

It has also risen by 65 since January, as many of those temporarily employed for Christmas lost their jobs.

In Wychavon, the number of people claiming benefits has risen by 100 to 755 and the 18-24 count has risen by 20 to 155.

Sue Gaskell of Worcester Job Centre said: "There is a rise across the area, but steps are being made to improve the situation.

"The (Worcester) JC (job centre) hosted group sessions for open recruitment for all job roles with Premier Inn– this was received well, we were able support care leavers and customers with health conditions, The employer has recruited 8 people and will be providing all the appropriate training over the next few months.

"We hosted “National Apprenticeship Week" with different apprenticeship provider in the jobcentre each day resulting in interviews for a number of job.

"Worcester JC worked with Worcester Council who hosted and event “The Skill’s Show“ at the Chateau Impany on 7th March, this was well received with local schools, over 150 employers attended, joint working together with the council resulted in a successful event.

"Worcester JC have helped with recruiting 30 people for The Cheltenham Races working with Blue Arrow by sifting and pre booking interviews at the jobcentre.

"Working with First Personnel JVM interviews for a local sheet metal factory we supported 15 customers into work –although I have now gone direct to the employer and have a meeting with Factory manager 9th April.

"JC are working with Hays to support a large recruitment for Long Lartin Prison –interviews were held on 20/03/18 here at Worcester JCP.

"We have sector based work academy training for training in the Health Sector and Fork Lift Truck driver.

"We are working with NHS Professionals – is a large individual recruitment open to all, 28 vacancies and a variety of hours and work patterns for either the Elgar Unit Worcester or City Inpatient Unit – recruitment day was 20th March.

"Worcester Jobcentre have a jobsfair booked for 20th April confirmed companies are ;Chateau Impany, Sainsbury’s, M&S, St Johns Ambulance, Sanctuary, MacDonald’s, Griffiths Construction."

The jobcentre is hoping for a boost in Evesham with a jobs and careers event having taken place on Tuesday. The Co-op in Honeybourne is opening in two weeks with Jobcentre supporting the recruitment. Coffee#1 is also opening in early April in Evesham, with M &Co just opened in Pershore.