JOBCENTRE work coaches in Inverclyde have been praised for getting local people back into employment.

New statistics show that the claimant count locally is down to 1,765, which is a fall of two per cent from last year.

Over the last five years it has gone down by 27 per cent.

Monica Leslie, DWP employer and partnership manager for Inverclyde, said: "A particular success is the 50-plus age group.

"It’s been a busy, positive year at our jobcentre with everyone working hard to help jobseekers and employers.

"We’ve built new partnerships with organisations, some recruiting in our office, and great examples of this are with the NHS, Inverclyde Council, Scotts/Buzzworks The Range, McGill's Buses, Quarriers, Invercare, First Bus, EE, Superdrug and Poundland.

"We’ve also increased the number of online and in person jobs fairs, including the very popular specialist events for the 50-plus and young people."

Greenock Jobcentre have tailored employability courses planned for January, providing support with CV creation, interview skills, digital skills and can give one-to-one job application support for active vacancies within the local labour market.

They are are also collaborating with Glasgow Airport to host a large scale jobs fair there on January 17, welcoming employers across different sectors on with vacancies.