Recent reports have revealed a new five year low in unemployment across Brighton and Hove. Industry leaders have put this down to a positive sign of economic recovery, verified by the decreasing number of individuals that are claiming jobseekers benefit.

Certain industries have been highlighted as key employment areas, including hospitality, financial services and tourism. There has been an on-going debate as to whether the increase in employment is actually as a result of an improved economy, or whether in fact the benefits system has become stricter. National Statistics recognise a decrease in out of work benefits across Brighton. Recent reports show that those claiming Jobseekers benefit hit its lowest level on record since 2008. Equally, youth unemployment is also on the decrease across the city; it would seem that all these aspects indicate an improvement in Brighton’s job market.

Some believe the key to employment success lies in the financial industry, offering hundreds of jobs across various companies. Feedback from recruiters suggests that most jobseekers are looking for work in the admin and office sectors, along with education and hospitality jobs. More and more companies are taking on interns and expanding their business support teams, highlighting confident business growth. It is excellent that the unemployment figure is going down, however there is still always going to be an influx of people needing jobs; graduates often choose to stay in the local area and more than 5000 people are still on Jobseekers.

It would appear promising news that the job market is on the increase, but many of these positions are in temporary recruitment. It seems the statistics are hiding the actual truth; youth employment is on the up, but the area in which they are working is, more often than not, temporary. Although this is arguably good professional experience and may lead to company progression, ultimately jobseekers are going to be looking for full time, permanent employment, particularly graduates. It seems the key to real economic improvement across the job market, is to aim for full time, sustainable employment generating a sense of job security and professional fulfilment.