More residents in the North East are approaching their CDC for
help to get jobs, with the number jumping by 68 per cent in the
first nine months, compared to a year ago.
Job seekers registered with the CDC peaked in April.
This it said is likely due to the increase in retrenchments during
the period.
But the number eased slightly in September as a recovering economy
has led to fewer layoffs.
The number of jobs available rose by 1,210 in the third quarter
from three months earlier.
The CDC said this could be due to more employers approaching
it.
As a result, the job placement rate in September went up by 86 per
cent from August.
But compared to a year ago, the placement rate for the first nine
months of this year was down by 33 per cent because of the ailing
job
market conditions in the first two quarters.
The CDC also reported an 85 per cent increase in the number of job
seekers sent for training in the third quarter, compared to a year
ago.
This brings the total to almost 1,900 from January to
September.
The number of residents seeking social assistance has also risen
sharply this year - up 53 per cent - from a year ago.
But the CDC said since July, the number has been steadily dropping
due to the improvements in the economy.
--938Live