RESTAURANT chain McDonald’s says it will create 140 jobs in Merseyside in 2013 as part of a commitment to help young people come into work.
The group made its announcement yesterday as the Office for National Statistics (ONS) revealed unemployment in Merseyside had fallen for the 10th month in a row.
McDonald’s plans to create 2,500 jobs nationally this year, taking its UK workforce to 93,500.
The chain says it created 3,500 jobs last year, with more than 70% going to those under 21.
Its jobs drive has been backed by Business Secretary Vince Cable, who said: “A highly-skilled workforce is an important part of any growing business. That’s why I am pleased to see how McDonald’s is providing training and apprenticeships in a range of skills.
“McDonald’s is also to be applauded for helping adult employees get qualifications in maths and English.”
McDonald’s franchisee, Paul Griffiths who owns three Merseyside restaurants, said: “In 2012 we added some fantastic crew from the local community to our team, many of whom were starting out in their first job and may otherwise not have had the opportunity to join the world of work.
“As a local employer, I believe it’s important for all those who can, to continue giving young people in particular the chance to get workplace experience.”
The ONS said the total number of jobseeker’s allowance (JSA) claimants in the six Liverpool city region boroughs in December stood at 51,774 – down 1.6% on November.
The claimant count fell in all six local authority areas, with the Liverpool total falling from 20,419 to 20,130.
Yesterday’s national figures showed a record number of people are in work.
Almost 30m adults were in a job in the quarter to last November, up by more than half a million on the previous year.
The figure, giving an employment rate of 71%, is the highest since records began in 1971.
Unemployment fell by 37,000 in the latest quarter to just under 2.5m, the lowest since spring 2011.
It was coupled with another cut in the number of people claiming JSA , which was down by 12,100 last month to 1.56m, the lowest since June 2011.
