Employment and business support charity Work Avenue is promoting a record number of jobs — a sign of better times as the country moves out of Covid restrictions.

The charity’s jobs board has advertised 138 positions over May and June, more than half (78) from communal organisations.

In May, Work Avenue had six direct placements of clients into employment. For June, the number doubled to 12.

Among clients using all Work Avenue services (CV building, advice and workshops) 61 found outside roles in June, almost triple the May total of 23.

The charity’s Emma May pointed out that at some points during the first lockdown, there were barely half-a-dozen jobs being advertised.

Now the number was “higher than when the economy was booming and before anyone had heard of Covid-19.

“It’s a mixture of a national economy that is bouncing back, businesses trying to return to normal and an increased confidence in all areas of life.

“Everything we are seeing is indicative of a huge turnabout in recruitment and employment trends.

“It has all happened very suddenly but it is certainly exciting and there are plenty of opportunities to take advantage.”

However, many of the new positions being advertised were different to those lost during the pandemic, “meaning some applicants will not be aligned to the vacant roles in terms of their skills and experience. That’s where we are here to help.”