More people were employed in Marlborough in the December quarter last year compared with the same period in 2009, according to Statistics New Zealand figures.
Data released to the Marlborough Express shows 27,500 people of working age in the region were employed during the December 2010 quarter compared with 26,500 in December 2009. The working age population comprised those 15 and over.
Marlborough Chamber of Commerce general manager Brian Dawson said the increase was "extremely encouraging" and meant more people were participating in the workforce through circumstance or choice.
The estimated populations for Marlborough for 2010 and 2009 were 45,300 and 45,000 respectively.
The figures for Marlborough came from Statistics New Zealand's latest household labour survey which contained Nelson, Marlborough, West Coast and Tasman data.
Meanwhile, Work and Income figures show the number of people unemployed in Marlborough rose to 333 in December 2010, compared with 204 people in December 2009. Mr Dawson said this was "wasted potential".
"It's such a waste when people who can potentially be productive are receiving a benefit. Their lives would be much better [in all aspects] and they would be able to contribute more to the community," he said. "While it is hard [to find a job], it's not a reason to not try."
Getting people back into employment was not just a role for the Government, he said.
"It's a community role to work out what they [the unemployed] need and how employers can be creating jobs for people who need flexibility, whether they have some kind of physical or intellectual challenge or because of their family circumstances."
- The Marlborough Express
SIMON WONG
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