THE number of people claiming Job Seekers Allowance in Waverley has continued to fall, with 16 per cent less claimants in April than a year earlier.

According to the Job Centre, just 70 job seekers from the borough claimed the benefit last month - including just 25 in the 18 to 24 year old bracket, down 33 per cent on last year.

And with the new Beefeater and Premier Inn hotel in Guildford Road set to create up to 90 jobs this summer, the Job Centre hopes this number will drop further in coming months.

Hazel Prior, an employment advisor at the Job Centre Aldershot, said: “We did really well in Waverley last month and compared to other areas we’ve raced ahead. In Petersfield and Aldershot, the number of job seekers is down just five or 10 per cent so something’s going well in Farnham.

“There are quite a lot of jobs around at the moment, and many employers are now going more for a personality rather than qualifications and are willing to give training which has made a big difference.”

Up to 70 jobs are up for grabs at Farnham’s new Beefeater, with the Job Centre set to run a recruitment day on May 24 for anyone interested.

The Job Centre is also planning a five-day training course in hospitality alongside Basingstoke College, with guaranteed interviews at the Farnham Beefeater for everyone attending.

Hazel continued: “We recently held this course for the Farnborough Beefeater and 100 per cent of those attending went into work as a result. Hopefully the Farnham event will echo the same success rate.”

The Premier Inn in Guildford Road is also expected to hold a recruitment day this June with a further 20 jobs on offer. Application forms are available for both the Beefeater and Premier Inn by contacting the Aldershot Job Centre.

A setback to the local job market has been the imminent closure of Cobgates care home in Falkner Road, which Hazel says could result in around 20 redundancies unless Surrey County Council can transfer staff elsewhere.

However, she added there is always a need for care workers, with employers offering full training and in most cases no experience is needed.

Hazel said: “Cobgates closing will make a lot of very dedicated, brilliant staff redundant and of course a lot of those have been there a long time so will find it difficult.

“But there are a number of new care homes opening in the Farnham area and they’re always looking for new people, with or without experience, so as long as you’ve got the right attitude and a caring personality you’re in there really.”

The Aldershot Job Centre also runs specialised courses for lone mothers (with childcare costs covered), those seeking jobs in the catering industry and many other targeted groups.

Anyone interested in vacancies and training opportunities with the Job Centre or employers seeking recruitment advice can call Hazel Prior on 01252 356511.