With the numbers claiming job seekers allowance in the City at a low level, the York Council has admitted that the numbers in part time employment are at record high levels.
Numbers of York residents in part time employment
The proportion (33%) in part time jobs is higher that either the regional (26.3%) or nation (25.3%) averages.
To a degree the figure may reflect the transient nature of the tourism sector of the York economy while many students in the City do actively seek out part time employment and shared jobs.
Nevertheless there has been a significant shift in working profiles over the last 4 years.
The numbers in employment in the City are still fewer than in 2011 (contrary to the national trend) and it will be 2020 before pre recession employment levels in the City are seen again
Challenged at the last Council meeting about the shortage in the social care sector the former Council Leader commented that,
“there is an ageing workforce, with expertise leaving the sector and increasing demand for services, all of which is putting pressure on the delivery of quality care services.
Looking at the shortage of key workers in social care is a focus for the transformation of adult social care which includes the following proposals:
- for recruitment and retention of key workers in York and what the council could contribute/enable; and
- for how CYC’s Workforce strategy could be amended to support the recruitment of key workers
This work is at a relatively early stage but will be progressed by the relevant Cabinet Members”
So it looks like things may get worse before they get better in the Social Care sector with job vacancies in other areas – such as construction and retail – also increasingly difficult to fill.