Look at Greater London – including Middlesex

London is the largest city in western Europe and is also one of the world’s most culturally diverse cities. Greater London has a total area of 1,600 square kilometres, including the City’s square mile with 7.5 million residents in its 32 boroughs (and the City), and an average household size of 2.3 people. The population is expected to increase to more than 8 million by 2020. (Other measurements include larger tracts of south-east England with a population of 18 million in some 16,000 square kilometres.)

The fundamental factor driving change in London’s employment structure has been the massive substitution of jobs in business services for jobs lost in manufacturing. The finance and business services sector is projected to make the most significant contribution to economic growth over the next 15 years, providing over half the gross total growth in employment. Other service activities – especially in the creative industries, leisure and retail industries, and in hotels, catering and tourism – will also grow rapidly.

London has the second highest unemployment rate in England, with 29 per cent of working-age adults non-employed compared with 24 per cent in the rest of Great Britain (25 per cent of all unemployed people in Britain live in London). This rate is even higher among minority ethnic groups. Over 300 languages are spoken in Greater London, with one-third of Londoners belonging to an minority ethnic community.

The capital’s hosting of the 2012 Olympics focuses primarily on East London, and is set to provide major change and regeneration. Growth projections suggest a net increase in jobs of nearly 650,000 between now and 2016, and this will require the provision of 30,000 new homes a year to meet demand.

The total labour force is around 3.6 million people, supplemented by a further 6 million in the south-east and east regions. One in six of Britain’s workforce works in London. Average earnings are almost a third higher than the British average.London has a younger population than the rest of the UK; 41 per cent of Londoners are aged 20 to 44. About 25 per cent of London’s population is over the age of 65.

Financial, professional and business service companies employ 1.3 million people and London is the world’s largest fund management centre. The office-based workforce requires a significant building and transport infrastructure programme. Sixty-three FTSE 100 firms have their HQs in London and contribute over 18 per cent of the UK’s GDP. Despite its tiny area the City of London is Europe’s largest central business and financial district, with a daily working population of over 300,000 people.

London’s workforce is the most highly qualified in the UK – over a third have a degree – while managers, professionals and technical staff account for 48 per cent of those employed compared with 38 per cent in the rest of the country. London’s ICT sector employs more than 200,000 people, having a quarter of the UK’s software professionals to service the 96 per cent of London companies with Internet access and the 88 per cent with a website.

While manufacturing jobs are expected to decline by 80,000 by 2016, employment in wholesale distribution is expected to grow. London is expected to retain high value-added and design-led manufacturing, engineering, biotechnology and medical devices and pharmaceutical spin-offs. Other dynamic emerging sectors include e-business, creative industries and environmental industries. Tourism is also a key growth industry that already employs 350,000 people, accounting for 10 per cent of all jobs in London and welcoming 27 million visitors annually. Nearly 700,000 people – almost 20 per cent of London’s workforce – are employed in the cultural and creative sectors; 49 million people visit London’s attractions every year and nearly half of these are overseas visitors. Some £25 to £29 billion is generated annually by the cultural and creative industries in London – one-third of the total UK revenues from the sector.

London has 24 universities and colleges, with 350,000 students, 68 kilometres of the River Thames, 130 kilometres of canals and 39 urban public parks. It contains 50 non-indigenous communities of 10,000 people or more, while 30 per cent of residents were born outside England. However, three of the five most deprived boroughs in England are in London.

Opportunities and skills shortages

Service leavers have good skills and qualifications for most roles. There are opportunities for engineers, particularly maintenance and service engineers, plumbers, carpenters and bricklayers, and LGV drivers.

Many jobs in service industries, particularly in small to medium-sized enterprises require flexible, customer-orientated staff with relevant skills. Pay may be comparatively low, and the industries include catering, healthcare, retail and airport security. The financial sector is recruiting, and there are opportunities in security and risk management, and IT.

Although the Metropolitan Police are currently recruiting only among minority groups, the British Transport Police and the UK Atomic Energy Authority Police are looking for people with weapons experience. The Ambulance Service is recruiting paramedics and trainers. Drivers of all classes are in demand, but knowledge of the London area is required.

The overall employment scene remains sound. The Olympics will bring many opportunities, from construction to project and event management. Business has recovered from the bomb attacks of 2005, and employers generally report upbeat hiring intentions.