MORE than 400 temporary jobs will be created in Oxfordshire for the 2011 census.
The main bulk of jobs will be as census collectors, who will visit households to collect questionnaires.
Others will be visiting communal places like hotels and care homes, and area co-ordinators will be needed to oversee the process.
John Clapton, census area manager for Oxford, West Oxfordshire and Cherwell, said: “I think in these troubled times, this could be a small silver lining on the dark cloud hanging over public sector jobs.
“They may just be temporary roles, but could offer people a short-term answer to their problems.”
The Office for National Statistics is looking for a total of 80 people from each local authority area in the county, of which there are five in Oxfordshire.
Mr Clapton said: “We are just looking for applicants with people skills and a bit of local knowledge.”
But there was early evidence that competition for the jobs will be tough.
Mr Clapton said: “There were 157 vacancies for area managers across the UK, which is the position I have filled here.
“And the Office for National Statistics received more than 4,000 applicants.”
The 2011 Census will take place on March 27, 2011.
Visit censusjobs.co.uk
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