THERE was good news for Carmarthenshire today as latest figures showed the employment rates have risen while Ammanford get sets to hold at McDonalds recruitment drive tomorrow offering 50 new jobs.


The latest Labour Market Statistics, released by the ONS, show that while Wales may have shown a rise in unemployment on the last quarter, Carmarthenshire has actually seen more people delivered into jobs. 


The figures recorded that the number of people in work in the county was now around 73% with the number of unemployment claimants dropping by around 6% or 149 people.


And with more jobs on the way to the area thanks to brand new developments- including two new fast food restaurants and a new road- the county could be poised to see employment figures rise again.


Gareth Dawe, of the area’s Job Centre Plus team, told the Guardian: “We’ve seen more people moving into jobs in the private sector and more women in work. Young people have also been working really hard to get into employment with the number of claimants from that group dropping as well.”


Mr Dawe said with 50 planned jobs for the new McDonalds at Pont Abraham, around 45 for the new KFC in Cross Hands and with opportunities soon available for work on the new Cross Hands link road, figures could fall again.


“Tomorrow sees Jobcentre Plus hosting an open day for people wishing to apply for roles within the new McDonalds restaurant at Pont Abraham. The company are looking to recruit 40 crew members and ten management staff,” said Mr Dawe.


“Gwalia Homecare will be holding open days at the end of the month and start of October to recruit more carers and later this year, KFC will begin recruiting for their new Cross Hands branch, looking for a round 40-45 new staff members.


“We’re starting work with the contractor of the Cross Hands link road now and we’re looking to hold an open day in Carmarthen on September 29 for anyone looking for work as a ground worker or in construction.


“There are also jobs in Carmarthen in the retail and food sectors- things are looking really buoyant,” he added.


The McDonalds job fair is being held at Ammanford Jobcentre between 1-4.30pm. Gwalia Homecare will host two open days, at Tumble Hall on September 28 from 10am-4pm and at Ammanford Job Centre on October 1 from 10am-1pm.


For more information, contact the Job Centre on 0845 604 3719.