Look at Yorkshire and Humberside

Unemployment figures continue to reveal a nation with very different local economies. While Richmond in North Yorkshire is considered to be one of the top ten desirable places to live in the UK, in the region as a whole the employment situation has remained static, with continued decline in manufacturing but expansion in service industries...

Unemployment figures continue to reveal a nation with very different local economies. While Richmond in North Yorkshire is considered to be one of the top ten desirable places to live in the UK, in the region as a whole the employment situation has remained static, with continued decline in manufacturing but expansion in service industries. Money from European funding, a long-term project over the next three years, helps to create work in the East and West Ridings of Yorkshire by assisting with the creation of local businesses. The expansion of Europort is producing more jobs.

Despite unemployment figures that are higher than the national average, the region still attracts Service leavers. It remains a good recruiting ground for the Armed Forces, with many people returning at the end of their service. Low property prices have traditionally been a major incentive to live in the north-east, although they have rocketed recently in many areas.

North Yorkshire desperately needs an influx of larger companies as major employers are moving out of the UK to cheaper labour markets in central Europe and the Far East; the result has been the small companies that supplied them closing as well.

The M62 corridor (Liverpool–Manchester–Leeds–Hull) is still attracting major companies from the south and should meet a 24 per cent growth rate target over four years. Unemployment averages at around 4 per cent in Yorkshire and just over 5 per cent in Hull, although these figures do not include people on training schemes. People with special skills and qualifications will always find employment, although the competition for unskilled vacancies is intense.

There is a general shortage of LGV and bus drivers, electricians and construction workers in an industry that is still in turmoil although there is work for qualified people. Employment in the rail industry is up, with projects at York and Wakefield. Service leavers who choose to live in the Dales or by the sea may find that long distances to work are not reflected in pay and other benefits.

Most of the big cities in West Yorkshire – Leeds, York, Wakefield, Huddersfield, Bradford and Hull – are still enjoying growth in investment. The former Sheffield City Airport is expected to create 8,000 new skilled jobs as half of what is now an enterprise zone becomes available for a big business influx over the next five years.

Opportunities and skills shortages

Employers are having to increase pay levels to attract LGV drivers, with higher-paid driving jobs tending to include nights away from home. There is a shortage of some 6,000 drivers in Yorkshire alone; anyone with the right licences need never be out of work. Some firms will offer training to upgrade licences as long as the driver is prepared to contract to remain with that firm for an agreed period.

IT work (hardware engineers, IT managers and maintenance engineers) is relatively poorly paid, while telecommunications jobs have shown some increase over the past few months. The bigger companies are now starting direct recruitment. There is a demand for experienced and qualified electricians, plumbers, gas heating engineers, accountants, administrators and local government workers.

West Yorkshire police is recruiting 5,000 officers over the period 2002–2004. The police forces in South Yorkshire and Humberside are both recruiting uniformed staff; the 2003 targets are 120 in south Yorkshire and 150 in Humberside now that new selection procedures are in place. The North and West Yorkshire fire services remain on a once-a-year recruitment strategy; recruitment has been on hold awaiting the outcome of recent industrial action.

The rail industry continues to provide suitable vacancies for Service leavers in the engineering and logistic areas, as well as the usual shortages of signallers and on-board catering staff.

Many service industry vacancies only offer low pay. Likewise, a number of call centre jobs are available. The NHS is still 36 per cent under-strength on qualified staff of all grades, including nurses and care assistants. There are nearly 1,000 teacher vacancies in the area.

There are training initiatives aimed at younger people and Modern Apprenticeships available. However, they may not be attractive to young Service leavers who want a decently paid job without a three-year wait.

Salaries

Manual: £9,000 to £14,000

Semi-skilled: £13,000 to £18,000

Skilled and supervisory: £15,000 to £24,000

Managerial: £20,000 to £30,000

Executive: £30,000 to £45,000 and upwards

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