This
project is financed by the LSC, SEEDA and
the European Social Fund
INDUSTRY
FOCUS
FOCUS ON THE ADULT SOCIAL CARE SECTOR
The adult social care sector workforce encompasses a wide range of job roles involved in providing practical support to help people to cope with their day-to-day basic necessities of living. Social care work supports people with disabilities and older people (childcare is generally treated as a separate sector). Types of adult social care include:
Care Homes (with or without nursing provision); Adult Placement (homes and schemes); Supported Housing / Assisted Living; Day care; Domiciliary care (care in clients’ own homes) inc ‘home help’; Carers’ support; and Respite care.
According to Skills for Care (the Sector Skills Council for Social Care) there were approximately 1.4 million people providing or planning adult social care in England in 2006/7, including 78,000 bank/pool/agency staff. In our review of the sector, we have provided national and regional overviews, information on the different types of work available in the adult social care sector and the skills needs and future trends that the sector faces. We also provide a list of useful web links to major employers, recruitment agencies, industry bodies and Centre’s of Vocational Excellence offering adult social care related courses. As with all our Industry Focus articles, click here to access the website for further commentary, useful information and links.
FOCUS ON THE PHARMACEUTICALS INDUSTRY
This issue’s industry focus looks at the pharmaceuticals industry, which is a specific part of the chemicals industry. The pharmaceutical industry is concerned with developing, manufacturing and distributing medicines, both for prescription by doctors and for over-the-counter sales (OTC). The industry also overlaps into engineering and manufacturing, especially when considered in conjunction with bioscience.
The pharmaceuticals industry currently employs around 70,000 people nationally, and numerous major employers have bases within the South East region, including significant Research and Development facilities. In our review of the sector, we have provided national and regional overviews, information on occupations, employers, careers information sources and qualifications relevant to the industry. We also provide a list of useful web links to major employers, specialist recruitment websites, industry bodies and education providers offering pharmaceutical-related courses. As with all of our Industry Focus articles, click here to access the website for further commentary, useful information and links.
Please email se.lmf@vtplc.com if
you have a particular industrial sector that you
would like featured in the bulletin.
FOCUS ON THE RETAIL SERVICES SECTOR
This issue’s industry focus looks at the retail sector which covers a wide range of employment opportunities in such areas as store operations; buying; marketing; logistics; ICT; human resources and training; customer contact centres; and finance and accounting. The retail sector is currently undergoing significant changes in its working practices due to the rise of online shopping and this is affecting the types of job roles and skills that the sector will need in the future.
The sector employs around 2,555,244 people nationally. In our review of the sector, we have provided national and regional overviews, information on learning and qualifications needed to gain employment in retail and the skills needs and future trends that the sector faces. We also provide a list of useful web links to major employers, industry bodies and education providers offering retail related courses. As with all our Industry Focus articles, click here to access the website for further commentary, useful information and links.
FOCUS ON THE FINANCIAL SERVICES SECTOR This issue’s industry focus looks at the financial services sector which covers a wide range of sub sectors including banks and building societies, leasing, credit unions, factoring, investment, unit trusts and venture capital, life insurance, non-life insurance and insurance brokers, pension funding, financial advisers, unit trust and investment trust companies, fund managers, asset managers and securities and derivatives traders.
The sector employs around 1,034,160 people nationally. In our review of the sector, we have provided national and regional overviews, a list of major job roles and the skills needed for them as well as information about relevant qualifications. We also take a look at the skills needs of the sector and provide many useful web links to major employers, recruitment agencies and industry bodies. As with all our Industry Focus articles, click here to access the website for further commentary, useful information and links.
FOCUS ON THE AUTOMOTIVE RETAIL SECTOR
This issue’s Industry Focus looks at the automotive retail sector which caters for some 30 million motor vehicles currently in nationwide use. Around 584,000 people are employed by an estimated 69,000 establishments that make up the sector, with the South East boasting the highest proportion of automotive retail establishments in the UK. The Sector’s footprint focuses on all aspects of the repair, maintenance, sale, rental and leasing of motor vehicles of all types including motorcycles, light and heavy trucks, specialist vehicles and passenger cars.
Within our sector overview, we will provide a national overview as well as key headline figures relating to automotive retail within the South East. We will take a look at skills gaps, shortages and requirements within the sector for people joining the industry and people already employed in automotive retail establishments. We will also detail qualifications that are needed for people to gain employment within the sector and the major job roles it encompasses. Finally, we provide a list of useful sector links including major employers, trade bodies and local learning providers offering automotive related courses. As with all our Industry Focus articles, click here to access the website for further commentary, useful information and links.
FOCUS
ON THE MARITIME & BOATING
SECTOR
This issue’s Industry Focus takes a look at
the maritime and boating sector, which is not only
relevant to our costal areas, but also covers activities
relating to inland waterways. This sector covers
water-based transport of passengers, freight and
petrochemicals (and port operations); catching fish
and shellfish; supporting offshore exploration, and
production; water-based search and rescue; marine
cruise holiday operations; and leisure boating.
The sector employs around 125,000 people nationally.
In our review of the sector we have provided a national
overview, information about a range of job roles
in various parts of the sector, along with details
of relevant training and qualifications. We take
a look at the future skills needs of the sector,
as identified by the Maritime Skills Alliance, and
provide many useful web links to major employers,
recruitment agencies and industry bodies. As with
all our Industry Focus articles, click
here to access the website for
further commentary, useful information and links.
FOCUS ON HOSPITALITY,
LEISURE, TRAVEL AND TOURISM
This issue’s Industry Focus provides
an overview of them Hospitality, Leisure,
Travel and Tourism (HLTT) sector.
The common link between business in this
sector is the provision of food, drink, accommodation
and leisure activities: including catering;
hotels; pubs and nightclubs; travel agencies;
and visitor attractions.
The sector employs around a quarter of a
million people in the South East, in around
180,000 workplaces. Much of the sector is
characterised by variable hours and shift
patterns, and a high degree of temporary
work opportunities. The HLTT sector also
has quite a young workforce, with a third
of workers aged under 25.
In our review of the sector we have provided
a national overview and some South East headline
figures, information about some key qualifications
of relevance to the sector, including the
new Diplomas for 14-19 year olds. We also
provide many useful weblinks to major employers,
recruitment agencies and industry bodies.
As with all our Industry Focus articles,
click
here to access the website for further
commentary, useful information and links.
FOCUS
ON PASSENGER TRANSPORT
This issue’s Industry
Focus provides an overview of the Passenger Transport
sector. This broad and
varied sector includes: Rail, Road Passenger Transport
(Bus and Coach, Taxi and Private Hire, Community
Transport), Water Transport and Aviation.
In the UK, around 662,000 people are employed in
the passenger transport industry, of which around
555,000 work in the sector in England and 95,000
in the South East region.
In our review of the sector we have provided an industry
overview and some South East headline figures, along
with information on qualifications & learning
and occupations within the sector. As with all our
Industry Focus articles, click
here to access the
website for further
commentary, useful information and links.
INDUSTRY
FOCUS MARCH 2007: CHEMICALS, NUCLEAR,
OIL & GAS,
PETROLEUM AND POLYMER INDUSTRIES
The chemical industry is vital in producing key ingredients
and materials which help to make pharmaceuticals,
soaps, toiletries and cleaning products. The majority
of products we handle everyday at home and at work
are to some extent derived from or supported by the
chemical, nuclear, oil and gas, petroleum and polymer
industries.
The sector is represented by around 2,600 workplaces
in the South East. The industries are considered
to have greater stability within their workforces
and fewer barriers to providing training for employees
than many other sectors. While the workforces are
stable, they are also aging, and therefore considerable
inward recruitment (particularly at level 3 and above)
is predicted over the next ten years to replace retirees.
In our review of the sector we have provided a national
overview and some South East headline figures, a
focus on major employers within the sector in the
South East, and routes into the industries. Click
here to go through to the website.
INDUSTRY FOCUS FEBRUARY 2007: LOGISTICS
Logistics involves the planning,
routing and the movement of freight across all the
varying transport modes, such as road, rail, sea,
waterways and air. Approximately 1.7 million people
spanning some 65,000 companies are employed in the
sector within the UK. More than 254,500 of these
are employed in the South East.
The Logistics sector transgresses a wide number of
industries and plays a vital part in our every day
lives. A vast array of differing jobs fall under
the logistics banner, ranging from Airport Baggage
Handler to Warehouse Operative, and Van Driver to
Contracts Manager.
In our review of the sector we have provided an industry
overview and some South East headline figures, along
with a section on issues within the logistics sector.
Information on qualifications & learning, occupations
within the sector and an interview with a General
Manager of a logistics company are also available. Click
here to go through to the website.
INDUSTRY FOCUS DECEMBER
2006: Active Leisure and Learning Industries
The Active Leisure and
Learning sector employs around 600,000 people in
the UK. More than 68,000 of these
are employed in the South East. The sector is a wide
ranging industry and includes occupations in sport & recreation,
health & fitness, the outdoors, playwork and
caravans. Between 1998 and 2002 there was an increase
in employment in the sector by over 14,700 jobs.
An increase in obesity related illnesses has led
the Government to attempt to improve the health of
the nation and improve participation in physical
activity. One current initiative is the Youth Active
B Active Campaign which aims to encourage young people
to take part in sporting activities. Skills and jobs
in this sector are needed to carry such initiatives
forward.
The 2012 London Olympic Games and Paralympic Games
are also a great opportunity for people with an interest
in careers in the active leisure and learning sectors
to get involved and participate in sporting activities.
In our analysis of the
sector we have provided an industry overview and
some South East Headline Figures
along with a section on issues within the active
leisure and learning sector. There are also sections
on qualifications & learning and occupations
within the sector. Visit our website to
access this information. The website also contains
a number of links which
offer further details on the sector, jobs available
and information on gaining training and qualifications.
The Health sector employs
around 2 million people in the UK, and around a
quarter of a million in the
South East, which equates to 1 in every 16 workers.
The sector overall is female dominated, with 79%
of the workforce in the South East being female and
21% male. There was a growth
in the Health sector workforce of 13% between 1999
and 2004, and this increase is expected to continue
by 1%
a year
between
2002
and
2012.
Our commentary on the sector is broken down into the
following sections, Industry Overview, South East Headline
Figures,
Occupations
in the Health Sector, Qualifications and Learning
and Getting into Health Jobs. By visiting our website and
reading these sections, you can find a more detailed
overview
of the industry, including facts and figures and
the sub categories of occupations within the health
sector. Valuable information can also be accessed
on how young people can find jobs in the Health sector,
especially via the Skills for Health "Open Road Programme".
This programme aims to increase the number of young
people embarking on healthcare careers.
The website also contains numerous links to companies
within the health sector, hospitals, professional
bodies and agencies. A link to the NHS Careers website,
which provides detailed descriptions of hundreds
of different job roles within the NHS, is also available.
INDUSTRY FOCUS SEPTEMBER 2006: Audio Visual Industries
In this edition we highlight the Audio Visual Industries
for our Industry Focus.
These industries are responsible for the creation
of an increasing proportion of our media output.
Between them, the audio visual industries are estimated
to employ in excess of 400,000 people.
In our analysis of the audio visual industries we
have looked at the contribution of the sector to
the UK economy and labour market. By visiting our
website you
can read more detailed articles including interesting
and useful facts and figures about the sector nationally
and regionally, along with links to ‘Skillset’,
the Sector Skills Council for the Audio Visual Industries.
Skillset has established a detailed careers website
for the audio visual industries, with profiles of
a wide range of jobs in different areas of the sector.
Anyone with an interest in working in an audio or
visual industry (in any capacity) can receive free
learning and careers advice by telephone on 08080
300 900 between 8am and 10pm 7 days a week, or by
e-mail via an enquiry form on the Skillset Careers
website. Click
here.
SMEs and freelance working dominate the industries.
These non-traditional employment patterns are expected
to continue to be important, with freelancing increasing.
Other key trends anticipated are the increasing reliance
upon
new
communication
technologies,
and
greater
decentralisation of production.
INDUSTRY
FOCUS JULY 2006: FOCUS ON ENVIRONMENTAL AND LAND – BASED
INDUSTRIES
Environmental and land-based industries are directly
responsible for managing more than 85% of the UK
landmass, employ around 1 million people and a
further 500,000 volunteers. This sector is much
broader than
agriculture, fishing and forestry, and is now generally
discussed in terms of:
o Land Management and Production
o Animal Health and Welfare
o Environmental Industries
Lantra (The Sector Skills
Council for Environmental and Land-based Industries)
was established in 2004
to drive forward the new skills, training and business
development agenda for the sector. Lantra has produced
two detailed and informative websites aimed at people
wishing to enter careers in environmental or land-based
industries, which can be accessed via our web pages,
along with links to many other useful websites relating
to jobs, training in this sector. http://www.lantra.co.uk
In our analysis of the sector, we have looked at
the contribution that the range of industries makes
to the economy and labour market nationally and regionally.
If you visit our website you
will find a report that allows access to some facts
and figures on this sort of information, and
on the current skills demands.
Looking to the future, there are several areas of
employment growth and opportunity. Sustainable land
management, biodiversity and protection of natural
resources are increasing the demand for skilled jobs
associated with the management of waste, the development
of renewable energy and tourism linked to the natural
landscape. The successful bid to host the 2012 Olympics
in London will have a positive impact on landscaping,
arboriculture, sports turf management, and floristry
businesses within the South East region. The sector
will have increasing needs for ICT literacy, not
only at management levels, but for more and more
day-to-day tasks across a wide range of job roles.
INDUSTRY FOCUS
MAY 2006: FOCUS ON ICT
ICT – Information and
Communication Technology
In this edition we highlight the ICT Sector for our Industry Focus.
Information and Communication Technology (ICT) transgresses all business
types and sectors, and is a huge part of all our everyday lives. The ICT
sector is
diverse, and difficult to define as it supports all industries. Our feature
article highlights a few key aspects for the sector going forward. The rapid
onward advancement of new technologies requires ICT professionals to constantly
upgrade skills. Emerging Occupations, Careers in ICT, and Qualifications
and Routes into the Industry have all been highlighted providing valuable
insights
into the future needs of an ever changing sector.
In our analysis of the ICT sector we have looked at ICT staff by occupation
or employment in the ICT industries by sector. If you visit our website you
will find an ICT focus that allows access to some facts and figures on this
sort of information.
A further area of change for the ICT sector that is highlighted is the impact
on the sector of changes in the Labour Market. The Labour Market is starting
to witness the first entrants from the so called ‘i-generation.’ This
term basically refers to those youngsters who have been brought up using
computers, mobile phones, the internet and games consoles to name a few,
and have advanced
ICT skills. The next few years will be very interesting with this influx
of skilled youngsters moving into a variety of jobs and industries.
In response to feedback from the bulletin,
in this edition we highlight the Construction
Sector for our Industry Focus.
The construction sector is diverse. Even
defining the sector makes for an interesting
task, with the supply chains for the industry
stretching into manufacturing for construction
to quarrying and so on. In consequence, the
contribution of construction to the output
and labour market is huge and the opportunities
within the construction and related sector
are wide-ranging.
Much has been said
about the boom and bust nature of the construction
industry. However,
the industry has enjoyed a long period of
growth only punctuated by skills shortages – hence
more opportunities for jobseekers. Change
within the sector has also affected the skills
required – more IT use in project management;
requirement for more communication and people
management skills; business management for
productivity are some examples.
One area of concern for the industry is
diversity within the construction labour
force. Our focus feature contains information
on equalities and an interview with an employee
of the Construction Industry Training Board
to find out what this means for your clients.
Did you know:
Latest statistics
from the Department of Trade and Industry
indicate that the output of the construction
industry totals £102.4 billion
One in 10
people employed in the UK work in construction
and 1.68 million work for contractors
(DTI: Apr 2004)
ConstructionSkills – is
the Sector Skills Council for the Construction
Industry.
The Association
of Plumbing and Heating Contractors state
that there are now 26,000 people on plumbing
courses and that there are not enough
jobs
for them.
Childcare
The childcare sector has been under increasing
scrutiny and pressure not only through
inherent changes in the labour market but
also as part of the national
skills and equalities agendas.
The industry faces several challenges of interest to the information, advice
and guidance professional. First, the industry is able to attract new staff
but finds it difficult to retain them. Second, related to the retention issue
is the problem of pay and conditions; and third, the industry is trying to
promote itself to encourage men to join the industry which employs a disproportionate
amount of females.
New guidelines on the requirements of childcare and play settings to have minimum
qualifications are also exacerbating a shortage of skilled workers in the sector.
