11 August 2004

Hon Jim Anderton MP, Progressive Leader

Increasing job numbers good news for Canterbury

"Canterbury's increase in the number of people employed and reduction in unemployment is great news," local Progressive MP for Wigram, Jim Anderton said today.

"Jobs are my top priority and it's good to see that 16,800 new jobs have been created in Canterbury since June last year. It's great for people to have meaningful paid work, it's great for the Canterbury community and it shows there are successful vibrant businesses growing here in Canterbury.

"This is something Canterbury should be celebrating. It shows that Canterbury is a great place for business to succeed," Jim Anderton said.

The latest Household Labour Force Survey, shows Canterbury's unemployment rate has dropped from 4.3 per cent in June 2003, to 4.0 per cent in June this year.

"It's a message to everyone who thinks the grass is greener everywhere, those who talk Canterbury down and who want to go back to the failed policies of the past. We should celebrate this result. Having more people in work means that we can lift living standards across the whole region.

"The task now is to increase the skill levels of our workforce so that more high value products can be produced locally and exported to world markets.

"We need to ensure that those who still don't have jobs can get the right skills - it will create opportunities for them and ensure the Canterbury economy continues its successful growth rate.

"Skills shortages are being addressed. Canterbury now has 9,603 industry trainees and 750 modern apprentices (to 31 March 2004). There is great potential in Canterbury and I am confident that Canterbury will develop even further into a high tech, high value economy", Jim Anderton said.

ENDS

© Scoop Media