Unemployment rises by 969 people as usual for the season – unemployment rate at 6.5 percent
In January, a total of 14,558 people were registered as unemployed in the city of Frankfurt (Oder), the district of Märkisch-Oderland and the district of Oder-Spree. This is 969 more than in December and 431 more than in January of the previous year. The unemployment rate climbed to 6.5 percent. In December it had been 6.1 percent, in January last year it was 6.3 percent.
In January, 8 companies reported new short-time work. In December there were 15 companies. As companies have up to three months to report short-time work, the total figures for all companies on short-time work and the employees affected are available with a delay. According to projections, 34 companies in East Brandenburg and 717 employees were on short-time work in September 2023, compared to 27 companies and 443 employees in August.
Jochem Freyer, Chairman of the Management Board of the Frankfurt (Oder) Employment Agency: "The increase in unemployment compared to the previous month is normal for the season. However, the labor market is still lagging behind its peak. I am concerned about the increase in youth unemployment. There are still plenty of job offers – including entry-level jobs. We will be inviting all young people in the coming weeks to make them offers, including for qualifications. Despite the gloomy mood in companies, there are also rays of hope. On the one hand, companies are holding on to their employees and the number of unemployed people hired increased significantly compared to January 2023 (+ 15.7 percent)."
Gabriele Schoel, Managing Director of the Märkisch-Oderland Job Center, assesses the current situation for the district: "Even with the start of the new year, many employers are still urgently looking for workers. In order to bring companies together directly with our unemployed customers, the job center will hold several regional "get-together events" on site in 2024 together with the employment agency. Companies will be given the opportunity to directly present their entry-level and employment opportunities in a wide variety of workplaces, answer questions and thus attract interested applicants. The first event will take place on March 21 in Strausberg. Interested parties can obtain further information from their contacts at the job center and the employment agency."
Frank Mahlkow, Managing Director of Jobcenter Frankfurt (Oder): "With the current half-year results, the search for an apprenticeship begins for many young people. "How do I find an apprenticeship?", "Which profession suits me?". Young people don't have to answer these and many other questions about their professional future alone. The Youth Employment Agency (JBA) provides lots of information and plenty of tips on all aspects of training. The chances of finding an apprenticeship are very good! The training companies in Frankfurt (Oder) have already registered hundreds of vacancies with the employment agency. Many companies are looking for trainees. This is also because many older employees will be retiring in the next few years and junior staff are urgently needed. If young people are still unsure which profession suits them best, the online self-test "Check-U" www.arbeitsagentur.de/check-u is a good place to start. Based on your own interests and strengths, initial suggestions for your career choice are developed here. The second step is then a professional consultation. And for young people who are not yet confident about training or have received many rejections on their applications, a consultation at the youth employment agency or the careers advice service of the employment agency is the right way to go. For example, the time until training can be usefully bridged with voluntary service, a pre-vocational training measure sponsored by the job center or an internship subject to social insurance contributions. All young Frankfurters under the age of 25, from high school graduates to school dropouts, can contact the Youth Employment Agency."
Details on the development of the job market in January
- In January, 3,134 people registered as newly unemployed. This is 630 more than in December and 199 more than in January of the previous year.
- In contrast, 2,170 people ended their unemployment – 103 fewer than in December and 234 more than a year ago.
- 5,777 people were long-term unemployed – 204 more than in December and 349 more than a year ago.
- Unemployment also rose slightly among young people. 1,314 people under the age of 25 were registered as unemployed in January – 53 more than in the previous month and 114 more than a year ago. The youth unemployment rate was 7.6 percent in January, compared to 7.3 percent in December. In January 2023, it had been 7.2 percent.
- Currently, 2,901 people with foreign citizenship are registered as unemployed. This is 168 more people than in the previous month and 316 more than a year ago.
- In January, regional companies advertised 417 new vacancies. This is 35 fewer than in December and 80 fewer than a year ago.
- A total of 1,737 jobs were registered as vacant – 5 fewer than in the previous month and 330 fewer than in January of the previous year.
- A total of 9,403 people were registered as unemployed at the job centers in the district of the Frankfurt (Oder)* employment agency in January.403 unemployed people were registered in January – 371 more than in December and 262 more than in January 2023.
(*In addition to the municipally run job center in the Oder-Spree district, these are the joint facilities of the employment agency and the municipality in Frankfurt (Oder) and the Märkisch-Oderland district.)
