Look at eastern England

Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire, Essex, Hertfordshire, Norfolk, Suffolk

Overview

The unemployment rate – at around 3.5 per cent – in eastern England continues to be below the national average, although there are still variations between counties and several black-spots. The TUC believes that unemployment in the region is clustered into ‘pockets of poverty’, with the percentage of people wanting to work but unable to find jobs as high as 9 per cent in these areas. Levels of pay in some areas are considerably below the national average, while salaries awarded to some employed people have reduced due to fewer new job vacancies and strong competition between candidates.

Local businesses are pessimistic about business prospects, believing that the economy will get worse, while firms in every other region predict recovery. Most organisations in the area employ fewer than ten people and have relatively low staff turnover. While the employment situation remains fairly stable; the number of permanent positions has reduced. The majority of opportunities are found in and around the main population centres.

Traditional printing and manufacturing jobs have shifted to warehousing, transport, service industry and supporting trades. However, increasing automation reduces the requirement for operatives. Engineering opportunities are still available, mainly with small companies, but many traditional craft skills are no longer required. IT and telecommunications continue to be difficult employment areas. Qualified and experienced Service leavers will continue to find work, but this may not be in their chosen field.

Confidence in commercial property markets is still at a high level, with many major schemes, financed by leading investment funds, finished, programmed or under construction. Essex, in particular, is beginning to see some important internal economic drivers, including the Thames Gateway, the Harwich Haven Gateway, Stansted Airport and the developments around the M11 corridor (plus the town expansions of Chelmsford and Colchester).

Other parts of the region are predominantly rural areas with approximately two-thirds of the total population living in small towns and villages. This results in a high volume of traffic and delays on all direct routes into major towns during normal rush hour periods. Over time, property prices tend to rise sharply and then stabilise.

The service sector employs 67 per cent of those in full-time work. Agriculture, forestry and fishing employ 2.5 per cent of the working population, against 1.8 per cent in England as a whole. In remote parts, agriculture, forestry and fishing account for 8.3 per cent of total employment.

Opportunities and skills shortages

There is work available in building and construction, as well as in related trades as major projects take place. There is also the same countrywide shortage of LGV drivers, ADR drivers and fitters, with a corresponding need for warehouse operatives and others to work in the logistics and distribution fields. There are positions in transport – particularly at airports – but people in such jobs must be prepared for shift work and irregular hours. (The number of passenger-related positions available is growing fast.) Manufacturing and sales staff can be in short supply in some areas, while there is employment in security, although wages tend to be very low.

There are shortages of engineers – both electrical and automotive – and in avionics. Although general electronics, IT and communications employment is difficult, some highly specialised skills are in demand. There is a need for more general engineers – both skilled and unskilled – in both electrical and mechanical engineering.

In service industries, the hotel, catering and hospitality sector is looking for well-qualified and/or senior chefs, managers, customer relations staff and other workers. Leisure and retail employers, including health clubs, also offer opportunities. There are usually positions for clerical and administrative staff – particularly people with qualifications and experience – as there are in call centres, field sales, retail and areas like hairdressing.

The countrywide shortage of medical, nursing, health care, community and allied services is reflected in eastern England, while teaching and education support posts are available.

Many employers offer short-term contracts, which can lead to permanent positions. Qualified and experienced personnel will continue to find employment but it may take a while to realise expectations. Those seeking supervisory, technical or managerial work must be prepared for daily commuting.

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 east of England.

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