The latest employment statistics are in for Wales nationally, and locally for Carmarthenshire.

In Wales, the number of people employed is at 1.472 million - up 1,000 on the quarter and up 4,000 on the year.

The employment rate (aged 16-64) is at 73.7 per cent, while the number of people unemployed is at 58,000 - down 1,000 on the year.

The unemployment rate is at 3.8 per cent, as the number of people in workless households has fallen since October to December 2010 by 100,000.

In Carmarthenshire, the government’s Way to Work initiative has been acknowledged as a great national success, contributing to 6,914 job starts against an ambition of 6,194. 

A spokesperson from the Department of Work and Pensions said: “A great many of the county’s employers have come forward and as each week goes by, more and more of them have acknowledged the benefits of doing so.

“Inviting employers into Jobcentres either individually or with other employers as part of a Jobsfair has become normal practice in order to achieve such excellent results.

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“Jobcentre staff supported the National Manufacturing Day of July 7 when Shufflebottom LTD in Cross Hands opened their doors to give the local community an opportunity to see the workplace and the manufacturing processes that are undertaken, hoping to dispel many of the myths surrounding this sector.”

A “Make the most of your Money Event” was held in Ammanford Jobcentre which was hosted by Eluned Morgan, Senedd member for Mid and West Wales.

It was a free drop-in advice session with experts on hand to offer help and advice in order for attendees to cope better with the national cost of living situation. 

The spokesperson continued: “Employers are still finding it difficult to employ all of the staff that they need so there are a great many opportunities in Carmarthenshire for those who want to work.

“Since one year ago, there has been a decrease in Carmarthenshire benefit claimants from all ages by 36 per cent. The same figure compared to five years ago is a decrease in Carmarthenshire claimants of 11 per cent.”