GALASHIELS and Selkirk are set for major jobs boosts over the coming months.

More than 100 positions are being created with the expansion of an energy supply company and the arrival of a discount chain store.

TK Maxx, which is opening a branch in the former Comet store in Galashiels later this year, has indicated that it will be looking to fill around 40 positions over the next six months.

And a further expansion at Spark Energy will see the creation of around 70 posts at its Selkirk headquarters.

Hopes are high that the arrival of a Norwegian airline at Edinburgh Airport, and the creation of more than 100 jobs, will also lead to employment for Borderers.

The announcements come as figures show the region continues to enjoy a steady decline in unemployment.

Year-on-year figures show a 10 per cent reduction Under 25s claiming benefits - now standing at 275.

And the overall figure of 1140 is a nine per cent drop from last January.

The long-term figures are even better with a 58 per cent decrease in Under 25s claimants since 2010 and an overall reduction of 48 per cent.

Galashiels Jobcentre Manager Aileen McBrierty is enthusiastic about local employment opportunities.

She said: "As well as TK Maxx, Spark Energy and Edinburgh Airport, the hospitality sector is looking good in the Borders. There are now more visitors to the area with the railway and with more visitors comes more jobs.

"We are also working closely now with NHS Borders to help fill their support service vacancies.

"And we held a successful Jobs Fair this week with 13 care providers which saw around 100 people come along."

Staff from the Job Centre in Galashiels are also expanding their outreach work in a bid to help more people into employment.

A pilot scheme at Kelso Library is being rolled out to libraries in Peebles, Innerleithen and Jedburgh.

And staff will also be based at Philiphaugh Community Centre in Selkirk for three months.

Aileen added: "Nearly all job searches are now done online and a lot of our customers are not digitally aware.

"We do workshops at the Job Centre at Galashiels but we also go out to our customers and use local libraries to show them how to search for jobs on the computers.

"It has been successful so far and we are sure people will benefit from the outreach service."

An online support service to help Universal Credit claimants with their personal finances also launched this week.

And Job Centre staff can also advise on accessing the information.

Money Advice Service’s Online Money Manager is an interactive tool that offers personalised advice, on making the most of your money while you’re on Universal Credit.

It offers help and advice on things like opening a bank account, keeping on top of bills and dealing with debt.

Universal Credit is built to mirror the world of work to make the transition much easier for claimants and so there is always an incentive to work.

Caroline Rookes, Chief Executive for the Money Advice Service, said: "The Online Money Manager is an essential tool that will help people to plan and budget for this new way of receiving their money and paying their bills.

"We are pleased to be working closely with Job Centre staff to bring this tool to the people who can benefit the most."