THE number of people claiming unemployment benefits in Swindon has continued to fall.

Last month there were 1,730 people claiming benefits in the town, which is 165 people less than this time last year - a decrease of nine per cent.

The figures are in stark contrast to the same period in 2010 when there were 3,953 people claiming unemployment benefits in the town, showing a 70 per cent decrease over the last seven years.

Of January’s figures, just 355 of claimants were aged between 18 and 24, which is down by 90 people on the same period last year. It also marks a decrease since 2010 when there were 1,130 people in this age bracket claiming job seeker’s allowance.

Julie Marshall, Swindon Job Centre’s work coach manager, said the centre had once again been busy throughout January pairing people up with new jobs.

“We recently hosted a hospitality jobs fair where we had lots of people come along to meet representatives from Jury’s Inn, Devere hotels, McDonald’s and Rudis bar,” she said.

“There were a whole range of careers available. The sector is really thriving at the moment.

“Many of our customers were able to start applying for jobs there and then, and it proved to be a good opportunity to display their people skills to their prospective employers, with a number of them being informed on the day that they were successful.”

As well as a number of vacancies in the hospitality industry still left to fill, the centre is also recruiting for PGL Adventure Activity Centre, as well as the Cheltenham Festival in March who are on the hunt for event stewards.

Honda is also looking for catering staff and security officers, and they will be holding an open day for people on March 4” added Julie.

Stagecoach are also expanding and looking for a whole range of job roles there, including bus drivers.

“We have also been hosting an employer hub where we have been inviting firms in on a daily basis to meet some of our customers and have a chat with them there and then. It’s proving popular and we are booked up every day next week with employers.”

Employers also on the centre’s books keen to recruit include Avon who are looking for reps, while there are also a number of vacancies in the security industry.

The centre has also been working with the Prince’s Trust and seen 11 people obtain interviews in the near future after successfully completing the programme.