JOB data reveals gaps in the North-East's workforce as healthcare jobs are most advertised but retail vacancies are the most clicked on.

Overall, jobs site Indeed said vacancies in the North-East are down 20 per cent compared to January last year.

This is above the national UK average of 36 per cent.

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Indeed revealed the most clicked-on jobs across the region include "Sales Assistant" and "Customer Service Representative", while the most in-demand from employers include "Support Worker" and "Registered Nurse".

This may reflect changes in work due to the ongoing pandemic, with greater pressure being put on the NHS while many in the retail and hospitality industries have lost their job or are on furlough and looking for a way to make ends meet. 

One organisation currently hiring healthcare assistants is Tees, Esk and Wear Valleys NHS Foundation Trust.

A spokesperson said: “Tees, Esk and Wear Valleys NHS Foundation Trust (TEWV) provides mental health and learning disability services in County Durham, Darlington, Teesside and most of North Yorkshire.

“Over the last year there has been an increase in recruitment levels at the Trust, across a wide variety of healthcare roles. This was required to meet increased demand during the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic.

“Our healthcare support worker roles are popular with both current TEWV staff and external candidates, and we welcome applications from anyone who would like to start a career in the NHS, supporting patients and making a real, lasting difference to their wellbeing.”

It comes as Britain’s unemployment rate has soared to its highest level for more than four years as official figures showed more than 200,000 workers lost their jobs in the three months to November.

The Office for National Statistics (ONS) revealed the unemployment rate reached 5 per cent in the quarter for the first time since early 2016, with the second lockdown ripping through the UK jobs market.

As the number of unemployed rose to a five-year high of 1.72 million, redundancies also surged to a new record and the growth in vacancies halved as the second wave of the pandemic struck.

Rishi Sunak has insisted further economic support is coming in response to Covid-19, although he remained tight-lipped on the detail when challenged by MPs.

The Chancellor is facing a series of demands, including from the Conservative benches, to extend support to businesses and individuals – including the £20 weekly boost to Universal Credit.

Mr Sunak estimates it will cost between £20 billion and £30 billion to help firms with VAT and extend the business rate relief, stamp duty holiday, self-employment scheme and benefits boost.

Here are the most in-demand and most clicked on jab vacancies across the region: 

  • Durham

The most in-demand job over the past six months is "Registered Nurse"

The most clicked-on job (ie most popular with jobseekers) over the same time period is "Administrator", followed by "Support Worker" and "Sales Assistant"

  • Gateshead

The most in-demand job over the past six months is "Support Worker"

The most clicked-on job over the same time period is "Retail Sales Associate" followed by "Support Worker" and "Driver"

  • Middlesbrough

The most in-demand job over the past six months is "Registered Nurse"

The most clicked-on job over the same time period is "Retail Sales Associate" followed by "Warehouse Worker" and "Customer Assistant"

  • Newcastle

The most in-demand job over the past six months is "Customer Service Representative"

The most clicked-on job over the same time period is "Receptionist" followed by "Customer Service Representative" and "Sales Assistant"

  • Sunderland

The most in-demand job over the past six months is "Support Worker"

The most clicked-on job over the same time period is "Production Associate" followed by "Customer Service Representative" and "Support Worker"