A SERIES of schemes will take place in York to help the city's jobless.

Employment figures released yesterday showed the UK had an all-time high employment rate of 75.3 per cent - 32.14 million people in work, an increase of 379,000 on last year.

In Yorkshire and the Humber, 75.8 per cent of people are in employment - slightly higher than the national average - with Minister for Employment Damian Hinds announcing the region's lowest unemployment levels in more than a decade.

He said: ""The strength of the economy is helping people of all ages find work, from someone starting their first job after leaving education, to those who might be starting a new career later in life.

"There’s good news in Yorkshire and the Humber, where the unemployment rate is down 1.1 per cent points to 4.7 per cent, the lowest since 2005. There are 2.56 million people in work, up 27,000 on the year with the employment rate up 1.2 per cent points to 73.7 per cent. But there is more to do, and we will continue to build on our achievements through our employment programmes and the work of Jobcentre Plus."

Among the plans to increase the number of people in employment in the city is an information session run by Greeneking and Blue Apple Training on Monday, September 25, at York Monkgate Jobcentre.

The event will look at vacancies available throughout the company and hospitality training programmes on offer, and will result in guaranteed job interviews for anyone who completes the course.

City of York Council will run a jobs fair on Thursday, September 28 at the Railway Institute in Queen Street between 10am and 2pm, with more than 60 employers attending, with local jobs and apprenticeships on offer.

A spokeswoman said many of the positions on offer would be suitable for people with little or no experience, and advised anyone attending to dress as if for a job interview, and take along copies of their CV.

An event to small businesses in the city who need workers for their bars, cafes, restaurants and hospitality sector will be held between 10am and 2pm at the Jobcentre, and any local employers who want to take part should phone Heather on 01904 682344.

There will also be a recruitment and careers event by York NHS and Adult Social Care on Saturday, September 30, between 10am and 2pm in the main reception of York Hospital. For more information contact recruitmentfair@york.nhs.uk