The labour market
When you start looking for a job, you're entering the labour market - the place where workers compete for jobs, and employers compete for workers. Use labour market information to help you get ahead of the competition.
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Where are the jobs?
Find out how easy it will be for you to enter the career of your choice. Use labour market information to help you discover:
- where the job vacancies are - places, industries and occupations
- the skills and qualifications you need to fill these vacancies
- what the jobs involve, how much they pay and their long-term future
- the different career paths you can take to these jobs
- how the labour market might change in the next few years
- what skills and qualifications will help you to get and keep a job in the future.
What will happen in the future?
Aim to be flexible and well qualified. Labour market information tells us that:
- most people will change jobs several times during their working lives
- employers will need fewer and fewer people with qualifications at Level 2 or below
- employers will need more and more people with qualifications at Level 3 or above
- people with higher level qualifications will earn more and have better employment prospects than those with lower level qualifications or no qualifications at all
- employers want people with good employability skills.
Who will employers give the jobs to?
Get the right skills, attitudes and behaviour. Labour market information shows that all employers expect their staff to:
- have a positive attitude
- be business and customer aware
- be able to self-manage and communicate well
- have team working, problem solving, IT and number skills.
What next?
Find out more about the world of work.
Tool kit
Hot tip
The more you learn, the more you earn! People with higher level qualifications earn on average two to three thousand pounds more a year than those with lower level qualifications.
Have a back-up plan
Vimbai-Christina discovered that law is a competitive field to enter. See how she's getting ready for the competition.
Hot tip
Get up-to-date labour market information about careers that interest you at www.connexions-
direct.com/jobs4u.
