HUNTER unemployment rates dropped over October, but the number of people looking for work is still almost double what it was at the same time last year.
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Australian Bureau of Statistics regional labour force data for October shows unemployment in Newcastle and Lake Macquarie dropped from 9.2 per cent to 8.1 per cent. The figure for the Hunter Valley was unchanged from September, at 8 per cent.
The data shows youth unemployment remains high at a 12-month average of 16.7 per cent for Newcastle and Lake Macquarie and 13.8 per cent for the Hunter Valley. This is down from peaks of more than 20 per cent during the height of the COVID crisis.
Hunter Business Chamber chief executive Bob Hawes said despite the small shift in the unemployment rate, the number of Hunter people out of work is still significantly higher than before COVID.
"Raw data shows there were 26,500 people unemployed across the region in October this year compared with 15,000 in October 2019," Mr Hawes said.
There were 15,900 people unemployed in Newcastle and Lake Macquarie in October this year and 10,600 in the Hunter Valley. This is up from 10,600 and 4,500 respectively in October 2019.
"Younger workers have undoubtedly been harder hit by the crisis," Mr Hawes said.
"There are about 2,500 more people unemployed in the 15-24 age group in the Newcastle and Lake Macquarie area alone, with about 750 additional youth unemployed in the Hunter Valley.
"These figures do seem somewhat at odds with the anecdotal feedback we are receiving from employers in the hospitality and tourism sectors who are reporting some difficulties filling positions.
"Workforce participation rates are down by about five per cent across the region compared with the same period last year, which suggests that more people are staying out of the job market due to uncertainty, which is likely masking what would otherwise be a higher rate of unemployment."
TAFE NSW has encouraged job seekers and school leavers to investigate how fee-free and low-cost courses available through the government's JobTrainer and TAFE NSW's Summer Skills programs may help them in the job market.
The courses are targeted at growth sectors such as healthcare, early childhood, community services, food sciences, agriculture, accounting and finance and building trades.
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