Five major employers in Pembrokeshire are currently recruiting.

KFC - which has its first Pembrokeshire restaurant due to open shortly in Pembroke Dock - Lidl, Tesco, Bluestone Resorts and the new Ty hotel under construction at Milford Haven Marina are all seeking staff.

Job vacancies in the UK hit a record high of 1.1 million in the three months to September, as the post-pandemic labour market continued its recovery.

But there is also a record rise of workers on payrolls - back above pre-pandemic limits.

In Wales, the number of people employed is up 44,000 on the year, with the unemployment rate of four per cent lower than the UK average, which is 4.5 per cent.

In Pembrokeshire, claimant figures were 1,804 down year on year as at August 2021 - the most recent statistics available.

To bring that figure down further Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) staff in Pembrokeshire's three JobCentres have been working 'tirelessly' to support claimants, employers and partner organisations in order to move customers forward towards sustained employment, said employer advisor Fred Hatton.

One of the ways is through the gradual returns of jobsfairs.

The Haverhub in Haverfordwest was the venue for one in early September and was extremely successful with 81 attendees and a total of 51 people moving forwards towards potential employment.

Two similar events are planned, one in the Milford Haven Jobcentre on Friday November 19 and one in Pembroke Dock during December. One of the attendees at the Milford Haven event is the recruitment representative of the Ty Hotel company. This hotel is being built adjacent to the Marina and due to open in March 2022.

DWP is supporting People Plus who have a contract to help claimants with the skills required to obtain employment with Tesco in the 3 county stores. Start dates are scheduled for October and November with the aim of offering positions for all who attend the training and display keenness and a good work ethic.

Bluestone Resorts Ltd continue to recruit for both Kickstart and their normal roles and the recent liaison between the company and DWP has certainly paid dividends. Bluestone has declared that they have installed a bus timetable to coincide with shift times to help those employees who would otherwise have difficulty getting to work and then to home on completion.

Lidl stores in the county are recruiting for new staff and those who may wish to apply should go to the Lidl store website.

The new KFC outlet due to open imminently in Pembroke Dock has not been able to recruit sufficient staff for the planned hours of operation due to the difficulties encountered by the business - not just in Pembrokeshire but nationally.

As the Covid situation improves, it is anticipated that more applicants may well apply and thus, opening hours will be extended.

Anyone interested should go to the KFC website to obtain details and apply.