THE latest employment numbers from the Office for National Statistics show that the number of vacancies has reached a record high – 823,000 – offering more opportunities for individuals to join the 32.15 million people now in work.

East Hampshire MP Damian Hinds said: “With more job vacancies available across the economy than ever before, there is a real opportunity for those looking for employment.

“There are now three million more people employed than in 2010, with nearly 400,000 fewer young people out of work since the government took office.

“I know securing talent is key for many companies, including those in East Hampshire.”

He was confident more organisations would use this month’s National Apprenticeship Week to develop the workforce skills they need.

The Tory minister added: “Many companies still don’t appreciate that their existing staff can take up apprenticeship training as part of their current employment; a great way to build up skills while working.”

According to a spokesman for the Department of Works and Pensions, IT jobs are driving growth in the South East with the latest employment figures showing 1.65 million jobs creased across Britain in the IT and business services sector since 2010, being the main driver for growth in nine out of 11 regions over that period.

The South East has benefited from 317,000 new jobs being created in the sector, which is continuing to boom, thanks to unrelenting demand for the internet, wireless cloud technologies and mobile phones. They provide the basic foundation for almost all employers, making it easier for them to connect with their staff and customers at home and overseas.

Work and Pensions Secretary Esther McVey said: “We have record-high employment levels in the South East. Since 2010 there have been 317,000 new IT jobs created in the region, and it’s easy to see why those kind of skills are in such popular demand by employers. The world’s gone digital, and we’re all having to adapt to that.

“Within my own department, we’re committed to providing a service that meets the needs of claimants in the 21st Century. That’s why Universal Credit not only ensures that work always pays but, with an online platform at its core, gives people the flexibility to look for a job and communicate with their work coach in a way that best suits them, be it from a desk or a smart phone.”

KCOM is an IT and communications provider that employs 1,600 people across the UK. Its chief information officer, Mike Davies, explained the demand for workers in the IT and business services sector, saying: “Businesses across all sectors are increasingly seeking to use technology to make their existing operations more efficient and introduce new ways of working to improve in areas such as customer experience and new product development. This drive for digital transformation is fuelling the growing demand for IT-centric skills.

“It may seem counter-intuitive, but the greater a business’ desire to provide a digital experience for customers, the greater their need for creative, innovative people becomes.”

In the Alton and Bordon area, Department of Works and Pensions adviser Hazel Prior flags up that it is the time of year when young people and parents are giving thought to the end of Year 11 and what to do next, and an apprenticeship could be the route to choose.

Ms Prior said: “If you want to learn a profession or a trade, apprenticeships are real jobs with training and you gain the qualifications required as you go.”

This year’s NHS and National Apprenticeships Week (March 5-9) was supported by Health Education England.

Ms Prior added: “The NHS is one of the biggest providers of apprenticeships, and covers everything from estates, health and social care, clinical roles, housekeeping, IT, business admin and accounting. They can be based in hospitals, doctor’s surgeries and dentists so there is a wide choice and suitable for a range of levels and abilities.”