Finding the right job opportunity
Job opportunities come from two sources - new jobs are created as organisations and business change and grow, or existing jobs need to be filled as employees retire or move on. It's important to consider both of these routes to employment to explore all opportunities.
Existing jobs
There are a range of jobs across the economy. However, there are clearly increased employment opportunities with industries that have a higher turnover of staff including older workers (creating vacancies through retirement) or in those areas that have a high level of staff turnover. These include service sector jobs in retail, hotels and restaurants, and adult care.
New jobs
It is clear that the new jobs being created will be more focussed around the current stronger parts of the economy, and with the skill sets that businesses need to exploit these opportunities. Within Warwickshire, the broad areas of the economy that are doing well are:
Manufacturing and engineering
Warwickshire is home to a number of large, world-class manufacturing businesses and a range of smaller firms who are experiencing strong growth. The UK (and Warwickshire in particular) is increasingly focussing on the research, development and testing of new products and manufacturing processes - as opposed to the more large-scale factory-based manufacturing of goods. Such new areas include the development of new low carbon and more environmentally friendly vehicles, renewable energy, and the interactions between computers, software and applications, and motor vehicles. Jobs within these sectors are generally quite technical and highly skilled and need people with a good understanding of science, technology and maths.
Digital media and ICT
Warwickshire is home to a significant number of world leading software games and applications producers, with strengths in website development and the application of digital media technologies into business and manufacturing. Again, jobs in this area of the economy are generally quite specialist and highly skilled, focusing on science, technology and maths.
Distribution and logistics
Warwickshire is extremely well located in the centre of the country and close to many key transport routes (by road, rail and air). As such, the county has attracted many distribution and logistics companies who employ a large number of people. Jobs within this sector can be quite varied, from highly skilled logistical planning and freight management to drivers and office work (accounts, sales and marketing), to more entry-level picking and packing work in distribution centres.
Health and social care
Warwickshire has a large and growing elderly population, creating increasing demand for adult social care services. There is significant growth in the provision of care homes and assisted living to help older people stay in their own homes. Again, this broad sector has a range of occupations from highly qualified medical work to more entry-level care activity.