When I was first elected my top priority was to bring more jobs and increased prosperity to Blyth Valley by promoting the area as a place for businesses to invest. That remains the case as more people in work and in better paid work is clearly a boost for the economy with additional income supporting all sectors as it is recycled.
At the national level the economic signs are very good with unemployment recently falling for the 7th month in a row and the number of employees on the payroll has risen to pre-pandemic levels. These are strong indicators that the Government’s Plan for Jobs is working as we emerge from the coronavirus pandemic particularly as over 138,000 people have been helped into employment by the Job Entry Scheme.
Further highlights include the Government doubling the incentive for hiring apprentices with 85,000 apprentices hired. The most pleasing aspect is that 75% of those hired are under 25 years old. Over 2,500 young people are also starting a Kickstart Scheme job every week and around 600,000 older claimants are currently being supported by the Government’s 50 Plus: Choices Strategy.
Those positive steps will also filter down to the Blyth Valley level but as is the case with other issues I am always keen to enhance national initiatives with a dedicated intervention and have spent the last few weeks organising the first ever Blyth Valley Jobs Fair with support from the Department of Work & Pensions and the Port of Blyth. This will take place on the 13th October between 10am and 3pm at Port Training Services in Blyth which is near the Caboose restaurant.
There will be some fantastic employers at the event including Morgan Sindall who recently won the contract to build the stations on the Northumberland Line including the three in Blyth Valley at Bebside, Newsham and Seaton Delaval. The NHS will also be present as will the Port of Blyth and the Co-op so all sectors will be represented. For those interested in the offshore sector the ORE Catapult will be on hand to outline the opportunities that they currently have.
Last but certainly not least is Britishvolt and their construction partner ISG and to register for a free place please click on the link below -
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/blyth-valley-jobs-fair-tickets-170403657928
