Unemployment is at a record high, figures revealed this week.

With talks of a double-dip recession, it’s difficult to see the way out of uncertainty, but adopting a positive approach could be the way forward, according to two Bradford bosses.

Craig Burton, director of The Works recruitment agency, which has a branch in Bradford, and Trevor Mason, chief executive of Aspire-I, a Bradford organisation helping people and organisations realise their potential through employment services and youth training, believe people’s attitudes can often prevent them seeking a profession.

They say flexibility and being prepared to take on jobs they wouldn’t normally want to do could get people a foothold on the career ladder.

This week, the Office for National Statistics revealed unemployment has reached a 17-year high after more than 100,000 people joined the ranks of those seeking jobs.

Competing against others for careers can be tough but, say experts, it isn’t always those with qualifications who shine through. Being positive and willing to take on tasks can be just as important.

The figures reveal a record reduction of 74,000 in the number of over-65s in employment. Other figures showed a 178,000 slump in employment in the quarter to August – the biggest fall in more than two years – and the largest-ever cut in the number of part-time workers, down by 175,000.

Youth unemployment reached a record high of 991,000 while the number claiming Jobseeker’s Allowance increased for the seventh month in a row to 1.6 million.

Craig Burton, who has made a career out of seeking jobs for people, says there are plenty of jobs out there for those who are diverse and have transferable skills.

“They may have to travel a little bit further to work,” says Craig, who adds that people must understand jobs no longer last forever.

“A lot of people turn jobs down because they say they want a permanent job, but a job isn’t permanent until you’ve worked there a year anyway,” he says.

The agency works with clients across the age ranges, but Craig says those aged over 35 tend to have a different attitude to work compared with young people.

Craig, an advisor on leadership development initiative Common Purpose programme, teaches a skills programme called Be There to young people.

“You have to be there physically and mentally every day, not just drift in and out,” he says.

Trevor Mason says that while jobs are available, the problem is often the match.

“Some of it goes back to young people’s expectations about the employment market. I think we have seen a weakening of careers advisors in schools. Young people tend to be narrow in their views about what they should be looking for,” he says.

“When people talk about jobs they are often part-time, seasonal or shift-related and often in careers such as distribution and manufacturing, which young people tend not to see as attractive careers, so a bit of marketing needs to be done.”

He says the benefits system needs to be more flexible for those involved in part-time and seasonal jobs.

“There are opportunities in the job market. There are opportunities in terms of learning and training provision, but quite often it is attitude difficulties which get in the way of that,” says Trevor.

“We accept that we have a much tighter job market but there are still opportunities and pathways and support structures people can use to help them and manage them through the process.”

Trevor says it is easier to get a job when you already have one. People need to accept that while the first job may not be ideal it is better to be employed when seeking work elsewhere.

“Employers will value experience and a positive attitude often over skills and qualifications,” he says.

For more information, visit telegraphandargus.co.uk/jobs, call Aspire-I on (01274) 379449 or The Works on 08707 494149.