UNEMPLOYMENT in Coventry and Warwickshire has risen again – despite companies across the region saying they are struggling to find skilled staff to fill their posts.
In Coventry, it rose from 4,460 to 4,575 and in Warwickshire it went up from 5,110 to 5,340 in the month to March.
However, the Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce – which has around 2,000 members across the region – says firms are looking to recruit.
Louise Bennett, chief executive of the Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce, said: “The figure is steadily rising and, of course, it’s a cause for concern.
“We have been through periods over the past ten to 15 years where we knew companies were looking to cut headcount rather than increase it.
“This isn’t one of those times. Businesses are telling us that they are confident that they can grow and need more staff to help them to do so.
“They are also telling us that they are unable to find the right people with the right skills to fill the posts that they require.
“It’s a matter that the Chamber is focusing on through our Skills and Employability Group, which was started by our Mid-Warwickshire branch. There isn’t a quick fix to the overall issue but individual businesses can work with us at the Chamber to help them overcome the problem by looking at other ways to close the skills gap within their company.”
Coventry council announced there have been 5,000 new members to the Job Shop – a support service for those in search of employment, training, apprenticeships and work placements.
A spokesperson for Coventry council said: “In areas where Universal Credit Full Service has been introduced there will be a rise in the number of claimants as this covers a broader range of people now required to look for work.
“Whilst we know there are some areas of skills shortage, we are working actively with education and skills providers through the Job Shop to address this in the long term, and to help local businesses to recruit now and in the future.
“This financial year we have enabled 187 businesses to recruit and we have seen a large investment in skills initiatives locally through European funding which will also help.
“There has also been an improvement in qualification levels in Coventry and our collective efforts are likely to see this boosted in the future.
“At present, more than 35,000 Coventry residents are members of the Job Shop, including people with technical and higher qualifications – including around 5,000 new members this year. All of these people are voluntarily and actively looking for work. Sometimes it’s not about skills, but about getting the match right, which is why the Job Shop and the Employer Hub are so important.”
The Job Shop is on 1 Bull Yard.
