THE number of people claiming unemployment benefit continues to rise.

It has gone up by one per cent in Weymouth and Portland and by 0.3 per cent in West Dorset.

In Dorset the number of claimants rose by 0.9 per cent from 4,689 to 4,729.

In Weymouth and Portland there were 1,479 claimants in February, 14 more than in January.

A report from the Office for National Statistics found that there were 879 claimants in West Dorset in February, three more than in January.

Compared to February last year, unemployment has risen by 14.7 per cent in Weymouth and Portland and by 6.2 per cent in West Dorset.

Some Dorset districts saw their unemployment rates go down – in Purbeck the rate went down by 1.4 per cent, in East Dorset it went down by 1.4 per cent and in Christchurch it dropped by 0.2 per cent.

Youth unemployment has reached an all-time high with more than 22 per cent of 16 to 24-year-olds without a job.

A Best Training course held at Weymouth Fire Station and the Job Centre Plus in Weymouth is designed to combat youth unemployment.

Nineteen 18 to 24-year-olds attended the two-week course, learning to write CVs and gain interview skills.

Nicky Ellison, employability trainer with Best, said: “It’s hard to find a job without much experience and this course gives people more self-esteem. Three of them have found jobs already.”

Kim Summers, business development trainer at Best, said: “It’s been about giving them techniques to use and giving them skills they didn’t have before.”

Amanda Buttle, Job Centre partnership manager and Ann-Marie Fagin, Job Centre employment advisor, arranged for the Weymouth centre to run the course.

Ian Munro-Price, Weymouth and Portland Borough Council spokesman for economic development, said: “It is unfortunate that figures of unemployment have risen in the past year but Weymouth and Portland holds a promising future.

“The first phase of the £14m Granby Industrial Estate extension is due to be completed later this year and there are plans for a brand new headquarters for New Look as well as a hotel and family restaurant.”

Nationally, Jobseeker’s Allowance claims rose by 7,200 in February to reach 1.61m.

Help at hand

SHELLEY Lindsay, 19, pictured below, of Weymouth, was among the 18 to 24-year-olds who attended the Best Training course. She was advised by the Job Centre to complete the ‘Tailored for the World of Work’ course.

She said: “I’ve been out of work since June. I have a qualification in childcare from Weymouth College but I haven’t been able to find any work.

“I’ve loved the course because I used to hate myself and had no confidence but now I’ve met people in the same situation as me and I feel like I’ve gained so much confidence.”

Danielle Travess, 23, of Weymouth, received a job offer while she was on the course and will be starting at Trafalgar Care Home in three weeks.

Alan Dolbear, 20, of Weymouth, said it is not easy for young people to find work.

“I’ve done loads of courses like this and this is the only one that has really helped me.”