Look at the East of England

Norfolk, Cambridgeshire, Suffolk, Bedfordshire, Hertfordshire, Essex

Overview

The East of England is one of the fastest-growing regions in the UK, with more than 1,900 foreign-owned companies already established and more foreign investors expanding their businesses. It is one of the most important technology centres in the world, with an unrivalled record of research, development and innovation, and seven universities. The region contributes more than 10 per cent of the UK’s GDP from around 8 per cent of the total UK land area.

With an £85.8 billion economy, eastern England is home to 390,000 businesses. Small firms employing fewer than 50 people account for 99 per cent of the business population. Large firms with more than 250 employees represent just 0.2 per cent of businesses, but employ 45 per cent of the regional labour force. GDP per head is 16 per cent higher than the UK average and three-year business survival rates are 2 per cent better than average.

Of its 5.5 million people, in a population growing at double the UK’s average rate, 83 per cent are economically active, higher than the national average of 78 per cent. An advanced network of roads and railways provides access to the UK heartland and main markets of Europe, while eight international airports and seven major seaports handle 56 per cent of the UK’s container traffic.

The economy is diverse, with no single predominant industry. It includes a strong service sector and one of the largest concentrations of new and growing businesses in the country. The largest concentrations of manufacturing employment in the region are in Luton, Dunstable, Basildon and Southend-on-Sea. Over 167,000 people are employed in tourism. Felixstowe and Tilbury are the dominant ports, while Luton and Stansted airports have both achieved strong growth and continue to expand.

Agriculture, fishing, transport and communications are relatively major employment sectors, while a greater proportion of the workforce is employed in managerial and clerical occupations than average. The three fastest-growing occupational areas in the region are sales, professional occupations and associate professional occupations.

Its pleasant environment includes areas of unspoilt countryside and coastline, attractive villages, market towns and distinctive historic cities. Natural attractions include 568 Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs) and 46 National Nature Reserves, as well as community forests. More than a third of the residents live in settlements of fewer than 10,000 inhabitants. School performance is better than the national average.

Opportunities and skills shortages

There is a wide range of vacancies across the region. Most opportunities are found in and around Cambridge, Bury St Edmunds, Ipswich and Felixstowe. Qualified and experienced Service leavers will continue to find work although it may not be in their chosen field and in many cases they can expect to travel. Shortages continue in all construction and building services, engineering, transport-related trades, and clerical and administrative appointments.

The recruitment freeze is over, but there are no massive staff shortages. The building, property, local government and retail sectors are very healthy, with opportunities for LGV (C+E) drivers, chefs, mechanical/electrical engineers and technicians.

Local food production companies suffer from a lack of applicants, and two local companies now recruit from EU countries. The construction industry is very short of craft trades, while telesales and retail continue to provide good opportunities. Vacancies remain in the transport, airports (particularly passenger-related positions) and public service industries, and in retail, leisure, electronics, IT and communications. There are also opportunities in nursing and healthcare, teaching, and electrical and IT engineering.

Employers

The Haven Gatewayhandles over 40 per cent of the UK’s container traffic and a large proportion of east coast freight and passenger ferry traffic. Port development is opening up fresh vacancies. The Road Transport Directive regulating LGV drivers’ hours will also require companies to hire more drivers. Bernard Matthews, First Group and Abels are all looking to employ Service leavers, as are out-of-town retailers and construction firms; RFEA Norwich is actively working with the respective HR organisations to service these employers’ needs. Sectors in comparative decline include insurance, financial services, aerospace and defence engineering.

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 eastern England.

Manual £10,000 to £16,000

Semi-skilled £12,000 to £18,000

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

Managerial £18,000 to £30,000

Executive £25,000 to £60,000 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.

Some information provided courtesy of the Career Transition Partnership