Unemployment in Dundee has risen over the last year – but job centre staff remain hopeful that more people will find jobs in the coming months.
The latest figures, released by the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP), show that there were 3,600 people claiming out-of-work benefits in Dundee at the end of last month – up from 3,050 at the same time last year.
However, the figure is an improvement on August’s figures, when 3,775 people were out of work.
Jane McEwen, work services manager at Dundee City Jobcentre, said the DWP was liaising with employers and employees. She also hopes seasonal work in the run-up to Christmas could lead to longer-term employment.
She said: “We are doing a lot of work with employers in Dundee. Traditionally, there has been a large number of care work, retail and hospitality roles in the city.
“While we need to reflect that labour market demand, perhaps they aren’t considered the more ‘sexy’ industries like digital design.
“That’s why we are looking at other avenues, such as our engagement with Grosvenor Casinos.”
The DWP is working with casino bosses in the city to recruit croupier and hospitality staff.
Two information sessions have been held, the most recent at the beginning of October.
Mrs McEwen said: “We are waiting to see what the next steps are.
“These are technically service industry jobs, but are something a bit different from the usual employment in hospitality.
“We are also hosting a disability confidence summit at Dundee and Angus College on November 18.
“It will be launched by Dundee East MSP Stewart Hosie, and is aimed at persuading Tayside employers to consider taking on more people with disabilities.”
Elsewhere, the DWP is working with partner agencies to try to find roles in the construction industry.
Mrs McEwen said: “We are working with the council and Hart Builders to run a sector-based work academy in November. A meeting will be held next week. That ties in with getting people into construction work at the Waterfront, and other council projects like the rebuilding of schools.
“There’s a need for qualified staff, and also to provide pre-training and work experience. We will give people advice on the help and funding that is available for getting things like CSCS cards or any other certification.
“That might help those who have experience in the industry, and can take on a role with the right certification.”
Elsewhere in Tayside, unemployment rose by 0.4% in Angus between September last year and this year, and has remained almost the same in Perth, with five fewer people in work last month compared with September 2015.