>> An overview

Calderdale Key Facts

• Population total 198,500 (>0.5% growth per year, lowest in West Yorkshire)
• 122,800 of working age (62% of total) 13% aged 15-24
• Growth to 2014 is 30% in 65-74 age group, 5% 15-14, -3% 25-44
  94% white, 7% BME (5% Pakistani)
• Average earnings £400 a week in Calderdale, £400 in Yorkshire and the Humber, £431 for the UK
• 21.8% Level 2 qualification in Calderdale, 21.5% in England

Employment trends

• 88,000 Calderdale residents in employment (45,000 in/out daily, a rise of 20% since 2001) 12% work from home
• Significant growth in employment since early 1990s
• Share of manufacturing employment now under 25% but higher than national average
• Banking and Finance employment now same as manufacturing. This sector relies on commuting into Halifax and is dominated by HBOS (6,300 employed)
• Distribution, wholesale, retail, hotels and restaurants, public admin, health, education and social care employ 40% of workforce

Work patterns and trends

• Continued gradual shift from full-time to part-time working with growth in part-time faster amongst men (30% part-time)
• Manufacturing employment remains male dominated as does construction
• Public admin., Health, Education and Social Care employ 75% women with Banking and Finance over 60%
• 55% Calderdale employees work 38 hours a week or more and there is a rise in those working 16-30 hours a week
• Growth of 'creative' sector is opportunity for those with skills and experience of applying knowledge, but still only 2.5% of local employment

Vacancies

Vacancies notified to Jobcentre Plus for Calderdale and Kirklees area show good availability in - Financial and Bus Services, Wholesale/Retail, Health and Social Work, Hotels and Catering, Other Services and Public Services with Admin.

Recruitment difficulties

• Jobcentre Plus figures show significant increases in - health professionals, corporate managers, health and social care, leisure services, skilled metal trades, secretarial and admin
• Trend shows continuing fall in unskilled occupations although jobs still available at this level

The future picture

• Continuing importance of the service sector but lower paid jobs in retail, health and social care, hotels and catering and public admin are some of the lower paid sectors
• Jobs in traditional sectors such as manufacturing will remain but skills requirements are rising. Higher skills in demand
• We are seeing low and semi-skilled jobs disappearing as international competition drive need for higher skills
• The two City Regions will offer greater job opportunities and willingness to commute will be important for higher paid
• Low achievers will struggle – emphasise link between qualifications and jobs opportunities early. Level 2 minimum for admin

Reproduced by kind permission of John Hodgson, Economic Development Manager with Calderdale M B C