Three jobs per jobseeker in Bridgwater

1:30pm Monday 24th December 2012 in Bridgwater Area News By Matthew Colledge

Three jobs per jobseeker in Bridgwater Three jobs per jobseeker in Bridgwater

THERE are three vacancies at Bridgwater’s Jobcentre for every jobseeker, the Mercury can reveal.

The surprising figure was revealed in an exclusive interview with Sedgemoor District Council economy chief Phill Adams, who believes there are many reasons to be optimistic going in to 2013.

Mr Adams told the Mercury: “We have about 1,100 or 1,200 people in Sedgemoor to get back into work but that’s not a huge amount when you consider that Hinkley Point will at peak employ 6,000 people.

“If people want a job there will be work.”

The council’s economic development manager said despite the surplus of jobs, there are still skills gaps which are not being filled locally.

He said: “In 2013 we are going to have to up our game in recruiting people.

“We have a lot of activity and it's about how we get local people into those jobs.

“We cannot get enough engineers for example. Hinkley Point also needs welders, from basic to grade four, the types of people who work on submarines and oil rigs.

“The UK doesn't have enough of these people and we don't have those people here.”

Mr Adams admitted many of the jobs created in the district over the past decade have been in the service sector, and the traditionally better-paid manufacturing jobs have been lost.

Latest figures show average monthly wages in Sedgemoor fell by £12 (2.7%) between 2010 and 2011; in Somerset as a whole, wages rose by 1% over the same period.

Mr Adams said several sites around Sedgemoor, including the Puriton Energy Park, have been earmarked for new businesses likely to pay higher wages, such as engineering firms or offices.

He also said there was the potential for more jobs being created with further expansion around the Isleport Business Park, in Highbridge.

Comments(14)

the voice of common sense says...
9:34pm Mon 24 Dec 12

This is encouraging news for the many long term unemployed in the district. There will soon be no more young people hanging around the town wearing hoodies, drinking lager and generally being threatening to older people.

Or will there be more east europeans in the town?

No prizes for the correct answer

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Koenigninners says...
1:21pm Tue 25 Dec 12

What a crock.. Looked in Bridgwater Jobcentre and can confirm there were NOT 3300 to 3600 jobs available in Bridgwater, in fact there weren't even a tenth of that number, many of these are Part time so whereas years ago there would be 1 full time job of 40 hours there are now 2 or 3 Part time positions for the same job, employers know that part time workers have less rights and the Govt give employers incentives to take on 2 or more PT workers rather than 1 FT worker as it makes the figures look better than they really are. Many people who are WORKING need to claim Benefits to make up the shortfall in their poor wages and are worse off in work but do so through pride and these are the very people being shafted left right and Chelsea but our contemptible rulers.

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jimee says...
5:16pm Tue 25 Dec 12

No excuse for not getting off their backsides. I'm sure some unemployed will find excuses for not getting a job but when their benefits stop they might think differently. Some people want those same backsides wiping for them.

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Bridgy old Boy says...
6:51pm Tue 25 Dec 12

It is the tax payer subsidising the low wage economy via housing and council tax benefit and working tax credits. It is about time we introduced a living wage to take the working poor out of poverty. Yes there are jobs out there but not at a level that does not require the begging bowl.

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Doverbeme says...
12:26pm Wed 26 Dec 12

This story is wrong. End of.

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EastoverJosh says...
2:07pm Wed 26 Dec 12

A job at Hinkley is fine for people with their own transport, but how are people without cars meant to get there and back everyday?

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DannyDyersChocolateHomunculus says...
9:27pm Wed 26 Dec 12

Hinkley runs buses bridgy

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frags27 says...
10:54pm Wed 26 Dec 12

EastoverJosh they could car share, bus, get in contact after they start a job with other people and try to get enough for a mini bus, no different than any other job that isn't in a Town Center. There is enough workers going to be at Hinkley in addition to ones already there who do shift work. You could move closer if you circumstances allow you, either way if you want a job you have to make some allowances. I had at one point to travel to Bristol every day to get a job and had to fund it myself I got no help from anyone, and no working tax credits it can be done, You cut back in other areas.

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Boring says...
1:39pm Thu 27 Dec 12

jimee wrote:
No excuse for not getting off their backsides. I'm sure some unemployed will find excuses for not getting a job but when their benefits stop they might think differently. Some people want those same backsides wiping for them.
You know this do you? How many unemployed do YOU know that don't want a decent job with a decent wage?

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Blue Owl says...
2:47pm Thu 27 Dec 12

frags27 wrote:
EastoverJosh they could car share, bus, get in contact after they start a job with other people and try to get enough for a mini bus, no different than any other job that isn't in a Town Center. There is enough workers going to be at Hinkley in addition to ones already there who do shift work. You could move closer if you circumstances allow you, either way if you want a job you have to make some allowances. I had at one point to travel to Bristol every day to get a job and had to fund it myself I got no help from anyone, and no working tax credits it can be done, You cut back in other areas.
Is 'nt it amazing that the above Comment from EastoverJosh, is already giving his reason for not applying for these jobs,.As Frags 27 Wrote, there are already Hinkley B workers going to the Site Daily, for an extended 7 yr life of 'Bstation. It is already in the EDF Transport Plan that NO Workers will be allowed to drive directly or indirectly to Hinkley C, they have to leave their vehicles @ Park and Rides and use the " EDF Ninky Nonk Buses, ( Sorry too much ' in the Night Garden with my Grandchildren)
So, don't make Excuses, Why you Cannot, apply for these or any other Jobs, I'm 60 next year, left school @ 15, and worked all my life, so far 45 years, Some of you expect everything without contributing Nix, Nothing , Naddar. Work and feel good about yourselves.
Happy NewYear for 2013
Blue -Owl
Never on the Dole, never Claimed A Penny, just awaiting my Pension, if I live long enough!!

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jimee says...
10:40pm Thu 27 Dec 12

Boring wrote:
jimee wrote:
No excuse for not getting off their backsides. I'm sure some unemployed will find excuses for not getting a job but when their benefits stop they might think differently. Some people want those same backsides wiping for them.
You know this do you? How many unemployed do YOU know that don't want a decent job with a decent wage?
Yes i do know more than a few...and not so far from home.

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windswept and interesting says...
11:21am Fri 28 Dec 12

Some years ago I was involved in a project that aimed to train young unemployed people in basic mechanics etc. This was set up at great expense through grants etc.

20+ had signed up for this and on the first day 4 turned up - the rest were contacted to find out why they had not shown up. Out of the ones we could contact a majority said they did not show because it was too far to walk ( max 3 miles) and they thought they were being transported to and from the premises !!

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Alex@SDA says...
1:27pm Fri 28 Dec 12

People just don't get it do they.

I started as an apprentice Electrician aged 15 on £3 11 shillings and 9 pence per week. (£3.57) Bus fare to work was £4 2 shillings (£4.10) First bus got me there nearly an hour early, bus home left an hour after I finished work. Lived in Watchet, work was in Minehead.

So I would leave home at 6.40 am, get back at approx 6.30 pm and be down on the deal by nearly 60p per week.

I never questioned it, as I knew that eventually things would level and turn the other way.

47 years later I'm still at it, got all I ever achieved for and have never been out of work in my life.

You get back what you put in, if not prepared to get out there and build yourself up, then you will never get anywhere.

I sometimes advertise for staff in my business and to be fair we have had some pretty good candidates apply, so there is quality out there, and these are the ones that quite rightly get the good jobs.

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Blue Owl says...
9:17pm Fri 28 Dec 12

Alex@SDA wrote:
People just don't get it do they.

I started as an apprentice Electrician aged 15 on £3 11 shillings and 9 pence per week. (£3.57) Bus fare to work was £4 2 shillings (£4.10) First bus got me there nearly an hour early, bus home left an hour after I finished work. Lived in Watchet, work was in Minehead.

So I would leave home at 6.40 am, get back at approx 6.30 pm and be down on the deal by nearly 60p per week.

I never questioned it, as I knew that eventually things would level and turn the other way.

47 years later I'm still at it, got all I ever achieved for and have never been out of work in my life.

You get back what you put in, if not prepared to get out there and build yourself up, then you will never get anywhere.

I sometimes advertise for staff in my business and to be fair we have had some pretty good candidates apply, so there is quality out there, and these are the ones that quite rightly get the good jobs.
Well, It just proves it, to those who r prepared to try, you get the benefits, not instant maybe, but who ever said "Life Was Easy". Or you can lie in your pit, blaming everyone else for your personal situation.
I left school @ 15, worked for my Father, an 18 Stone builder, for 10 Shillings a week, that's 0.50p for you that only know Decimal. I also had to work a week in hand, so no money for my first 45 hour week. Just a Bollocking, when I did'nt do it right!!
I soon Learn't, My Father, taught me the meaning of a hard day work for a good days pay, eventually.
Like Alex, who Posted Above, you gain experience by Time Served.
So, stop Bleating And Whinging, get Orf your Backsides, apply for everything you are capable to do!! You will feel better, for trying, and with perseverance, will come achievement.
Stop blaming everyone else, for you predicament, DO It YourSelf. ,,!
Blue-Owl.

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