Look at Wales

There have been few significant changes to the employment scene in Wales. It continues to see retrenchment in high-technology industries with significant opportunities remaining in the public sector, in particular the NHS and probation, police and local government. Service leavers should appreciate the security offered by government and local government pension schemes compared with radically reducing benefits in many non-government employment schemes, when assessing remuneration packages.

Forecasts suggest that north-west Wales will see modest growth, with a gloomy general picture for Anglesey employment. However, its strategic importance may create opportunities that could revitalise the local economy. Wrexham is home to a number of world-league companies, including Sharp, Brother, Hoya, Kellogg's, Tetra Pak, Cadbury and JCB, and there is a high level of foreign investment. Significant numbers of opto-electronic companies in the area employ around 2,450 people and generate a turnover of £276 million, whilst 15-20 companies are involved in the avionics and aerospace industries. This employment cluster results from British Aerospace Systems - the largest private-sector investor in North Wales, employing over 4,000 people. The unemployment level is relatively low, hovering around 3 to 4 per cent.

Cardiff is becoming an employment 'hotspot' with many opportunities, particularly in the NHS and public services. The by-product of this boom is a significant rise in house prices.

Wales's second highest unemployment area - the south-west - has seen the development of a task force involving national and regional government, councils, the Welsh Development Agency, and Education and Learning Wales to investigate ways in which the public sector can assist. The Objective One Funding Programme is helping the Valley Areas and the other unemployment blackspots throughout the principality. The closure of a major call centre and the destruction of a factory through fire have directly affected unemployment, and the secondary effects are still being felt.

By contrast, West Glamorgan has a more stable employment environment, fuelled by the improving economy in Cardiff and the east of Wales. Indeed, organisations are now relocating to the area with the assistance of subsidies and the lure of a more flexible and less expensive workforce.

Perhaps the most significant influence upon employment prospects has been the very significant increase in property prices throughout the region, now catching up with increases elsewhere in the UK and making it more difficult to find affordable accommodation. Well-qualified people should be prepared to move to the job; while those who are less well qualified are as likely to get appropriate employment in this area as anywhere.

The Welsh employment rate remains around 5 per cent below the UK average, but is improving in relation to other parts of the country. Overall, there are ample employment opportunities throughout Wales, although some people may find it difficult to match qualifications and experience to job requirements.

Opportunities and skills shortages
The public sector remains a rich source of employment, offering good salaries with good, long-term security. Police (both uniformed and non-uniformed), Ambulance Service, Prison Service, Probation Service, Customs & Excise and the NHS have recently been actively recruiting. Local councils and town administration offer a number of vacancies in a wide variety of skills and trades.

Local factories are recruiting, with many operator vacancies commanding a salary around the national minimum wage. However, there is a demand in manufacturing for more technical personnel, attracting a more respectable salary. There are also many opportunities in construction and distribution, particularly for people who are qualified in the relevant skills.

In transport, the demand for drivers with licences of all types continues to offer jobs, with large crane companies in the area recruiting for crane operators. The motor industry is always looking for vehicle mechanics; trial attachments are easy to arrange and often lead to permanent employment. Texaco is also recruiting process operators - the company is keen to recruit Service leavers, and offers above-average wages for the area. There is a general skill shortage of technically trained people in almost all areas of industry, but particularly in high-tech fields. Call centres are still big business here.

Salaries
A rough guide to annual salaries is given below. This is inevitably very general and there will be variations between industries and also in various parts of Wales.