BOLTON'S jobs market is continuing to open up as sectors start to recover from the pandemic, the jobcentre has reported.

Last month the quarterly alternative claimant count - which shows the number of people unemployed - revealed the number of people not in work was falling in the borough.

Now the latest Universal Credit figures released by the Department for Work and Pensions indicate that more people are back in part-time work.

The number of claimants has gone up in Bolton from 32,340 recorded on June 10 to 32,665 on July 8 - but this includes people who are employed and receive a Universal credit top up.

Meanwhile the jobcentre is working hard to help those looking for work.

Jenny Stanton, partnership manager at Department for Work and Pensions said: "Although the number of Universal Credit claimants in Bolton has gone up slightly, this can be an indication that people are back in work.

"The Bolton Jobcentre has also run two successful Kickstart Job Fairs on August 5 and 12.

"This was a great opportunity for employers to meet face to face with candidates aged 16-24 and we had some really positive feedback.

"At the first event we had 17 employers attending on the day, which resulted in 21 Kickstart placements being offered.

"We're hoping to build on this success with more events planned later in the year and look at helping those over 24.

"We're also seeing more jobs becoming available in the North West, particularly in hospitality as it opens up.

"A family-run catering equipment business, Easy Equipment, is moving to a bigger site in Bolton and will create 10 new jobs for the local community in the next year.

"Meanwhile there are 100 customer service jobs available at Virgin Media in Wythenshawe in Manchester, with both full and part-time roles available."

In September the furlough scheme is set to end, and hopefully those furloughed will return to work full time again.

But the jobcentre is also prepared in case there's an increase in people looking for work.

Jenny added: "It's a bit of a waiting game and we don't know if all of these people will return to full-time employment.

"But we have bolstered our teams by hiring more work coaches and we are prepared to help people find vacancies, look at their transferable skills and get them back into work."

Minister for Employment Mims Davies MP said: "There are positive signs of recovery in today’s jobs figures with the number of young people and older workers on payrolls up on the quarter and the employment rate increasing to 75.1 per cent.

“There is still work to do and we’re focused on helping employers fill roles through our Plan for Jobs – giving people of all ages the skills, support and experience needed to confidently land that next opportunity.”