First, some basic facts about the make-up of the region:
When you're planning your next career move, it's important to take into account the make-up of the region where you live. A strong knowledge of employers at work in your area can do wonders for your confidence and career planning abilities. For example, did you know that in the south east of England:
- 24% of the businesses in the region are based in rural towns, villages and the countryside. The next time you drive through the countryside, see how many businesses you can spot hidden away in converted barns and outbuildings. Your next career move could be in an office closer than you think! Broadband is playing an increasingly important role in helping these businesses thrive and prosper and the south east agencies are working hard to ensure that local employers take full advantage of the benefits Broadband brings.
- Crucially, Broadband will enable more people to work for their employers from home. If you want to follow this route, why not see what services Broadband offers? Check out www.seeonline.net and visit the Broadband pages.
- Small and medium sized companies account for the majority of total businesses in the south east. Over 95% of firms have fewer than 50 employees! This trend is likely to continue as a result of new firms being started, spin-offs from existing ones, and diversification.
Applied to your intended next move, facts such as these will help you broaden your thoughts of who you could approach when it comes to applying for new positions. For example:
- Small companies are often over-looked as potential employers; there's a tendancy to look to the larger corporates. Dig deep and find out what's going on in your area.
- You could set up your own business and work freelance for a number of local employers, making use of the invaluable networking groups and events to help boost your business.
- You could consider working for a number of small companies as a virtual assistant or working in one of the business hubs provided by local Enterprise Hubs and Gateways where you're looking after the secretarial affairs for a number of offices who use the Hubs' facilities.
The latest Labour Force Survey shows that of those in employment in the south east, the breakdown in occupation was as follows:
- 17.6% Managers and senior officials
- 13.2 Professional occupations
- 14.7% Associated professionals and technicians
- 13.2% Administrative and secretarial staff
- 10.5% Skilled trades occupations
The region has relatively more people employed in typically high skilled occupations: the incidence of managers and administrators were some 2% on average higher than the national average.
How is employment distributed amongst the sectors in the south east?
According to Business Strategies 2001, as described in the Economic Profile of the South East, the following sectors had most employees working in them:
- Public and personal services (c 26%)
- Distribution, hotels and catering (c 26%)
- Finance and business services (c22%)
According to the Economic Profile of the South East, Business Strategies 2001 reports that financial and business services, transport and communication, distribution, hotels and catering, and construction will continue to grow.
Far fewer people are employed in these areas:
- Transport and Communications
- Engineering
- Construction
- Other Manufacturing
- Metals
- Minerals and Chemicals
- Mining and Utilities
- Agriculture.
Many sectors now have clusters and sector networks designed to help businesses work together to boost productivity and competitiveness. In the south east, the Business Sector groups include:
- Aerospace and Defence,
- Pharma Bio and Healthcare Technology,
- Tourism Property and construction
- Environmental technology Transport and logistics
- Marine
- Media and telecoms
- Manufacturing and rural businesses
They are all fighting the south east's corner to ensure that the region continues to prosper. This means better career opportunities for you and a greater quality of living.
Sectors to watch out for:
The knowledge-based economy in the south east is strong, as reflected in the companies listed in the FTSE 350, fledgling and AIM ranks in the region. Biotechnology, nanotechnology, electronics, communications, software and genetic engineering are poised for economic growth, as the south east is at the centre of Europe's leading concentration of research and development. It is particularly strong in the Thames Valley area and locations around major motorways.
In addition, the cultural and creative industries play an increasingly important role in urban areas, as they are seen as crucial to helping in the regeneration of those towns and cities suffering from a poor economy.
The Economic Profile of the South East reports that employment in the south east will grow by 9%, with 360,000 more people in employment between 2001 and 2011.
Lifelong learning will take on an unprecedented importance.
It will be more important than ever that you keep learning and training to update, improve and boost your skills base to take advantage of the opportunities that lie ahead.
Customer skills, teamworking, communication and management skills will be key as the importance of working with new partners, networking, learning, and operating across regions and countries play a more important role in the fight for competitiveness and world class products and services. It will be important to show willingness to use information and communications technology and to keep pace with changes in it.
The
Training pages will help you determine which providers are best for the skills you want to acquire and what's on in your region.
Further Information:
www.seeonline.net - Check this out for tons of invaluable information on business, learning, the community and broadband in the South East.
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