Look at north-east England

This year's employment figures reveal large local variations. Yet within the region there is a vein of high-tech industry and higher education. Employment figures do not include people undertaking training due to European funding that has been pumped into the area recently.
The overall situation is static with continued decline in manufacturing industries, but with service industries showing some expansion. Output is 2.4 per cent down on the same period last year, and the number of failing firms has increased slightly. There is a shortage of LGV/bus drivers, electricians and construction workers. Telecommunications is still in turmoil and it is predicted that it will remain in an unstable state for at least another year, although there is work for qualified engineers. Computer engineering vacancies are thin on the ground.
The region attracts Service leavers; it remains a fertile recruiting ground for the Forces with many returning at the end of their Service. Low property prices have traditionally been a major incentive to live in the north-east, with cheap properties still to be found.
The region needs an influx of large employers. People often have to travel long distances for suitable work, and pay and benefits do not always make this viable. Those with special skills and qualifications will always find employment, but the competition for unskilled vacancies is intense.
Newcastle and Gateshead's joint bid to become European Capital of Culture 2008 was short-listed for the final stages with an announcement in the summer. Success could lead to many new jobs in all sectors of the economy.
Opportunities and skills shortages
There is a shortage of qualified LGV drivers, forcing employers to pay better to attract job-seekers. Higher-paid driving jobs often mean nights away from home, and under-25s should obtain experience with agencies before applying to companies.
IT work is relatively poorly paid in the north-east in comparison to other UK areas. The IT vacancies that are available require qualifications, and often experience, to meet employers' requirements. Several local councils are now recruiting IT staff as they computerise systems. Call centres still provide a number of jobs but wages are low and many tend to employ women who may work shifts at low wages.
There is a demand for experienced and qualified electricians, plumbers, gas heating engineers, construction trades, accountants, nurses and care workers, administrators, and local government workers. Instructors are still in great demand but need relevant civilian qualifications.
Employer news
The telecommunications industry is expected to improve during 2003. There are many small and medium-sized enterprises springing up, ranging from high-tech areas to mundane but profitable concerns.
The Tyne has attracted major contracts with the massive Bonga arriving on site, Swan Hunters to build ALSL landing vessels for the MoD, and A&P Tyne contracting with De Beers for a diamond-mining vessel.
Applied Technology has won a £150k contract that will lift the threat of redundancies, Newcastle-based seafood supplier Ken Bell International will create 120 jobs as it expands into the ready-made meals sector, and Whitbread will provide 165 new jobs.
Barclays Bank has created 500 new jobs at its Sunderland call centre in addition to the 1,250 already employed there, Magna Kansei will create 100 new jobs at a new assembly site in Washington producing the Nissan Micra, and Kenmore UK of Durham has secured more than 300 jobs by winning a four-year contract for freezer components.
MetroMail will create 100 new jobs in Peterlee, with another 80 possibly to follow; British Gas will provide employment for 380 women, older workers, single parents and job-seekers; Hays Travel will create 100 new jobs, and Northern Rock will take on 104 more people.
The region will also see at least £12.5 million-worth of road improvement projects as the A1 is upgraded.
Black & Decker's move to Central Europe to take advantage of lower wages has removed jobs in an extensive range of trades and skills. It will also mean the closure of the smaller businesses that supplied it. The Brunswick Shoe warehouse will leave 750 redundant as it goes into administration. Mobile phone firm Orange will cut at least 1,000 jobs during 2003.
Salaries
A rough guide to salaries in the region is given below. This is inevitably very general and there will be variations between industries and also in various parts of the north-east.

House price guide
The following prices are a rough guide only to property prices and are liable to overnight change as financial factors in the country as well as in the region affect housing.

Information courtesy of the Career Transition Partnership