The number of jobs available in Shropshire each month has increased by more than 800 in the last year, new figures have shown.

While this week’s latest jobless figures showed the biggest national increase in unemployment in two years, the new data, released by employment and skills specialist Working Links, suggests Shropshire’s job scene is thriving. Between May and July this year an average of 2,210 jobs were available.

This compares with 1,634 in the same period last year, which is an increase of 566 jobs, or 34 per cent.

And Telford & Wrekin also saw a rise in the number of positions available, from 1,266 to 1,528 – a rise of 262, or 21 per cent.

In total, the county had an average of 829 more jobs available each month than during the same period in 2010.

The figures compare very favourably with other areas of the West Midlands – Wolverhampton was the only other area to see a rise in the number of positions available, after seeing a rise of six per cent from 1,681 to 1,775.
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Overall, the number of positions available across the West Midlands has fallen by 11 per cent compared to the same period last year.

Jobs in energy, agriculture and hospitality and catering are those which have seen the largest increase across the region, while those to have struggled include jobs in education, transport and logistics, and in the public sector.

Will Sheridan of Working Links said: “It is encouraging to see an increase in energy jobs across the West Midlands.

“We are also seeing more vacancies in retail as we approach the busy Christmas period. We’re also expecting warehousing vaca- ncies to pick up too.

“Employers in the region are generally looking for candidates with relevant and recent work experience, as well as enthusiasm and the ability to sell themselves at job interviews.

“General customer service skills are important too.”

May saw a particular high point for the county, when 2,384 jobs became available in Shropshire.

Herefordshire was among the areas to see a fall in the number of available positions, from 888 last year to 752 in 2011, while Dudley, Coventry, Warwickshire and Walsall saw 24 per cent falls in the average number of available positions, and Solihull’s jobs market plunged 30 per cent.