Susan Douek Careers Consultant

1

• Susan Douek Careers Consultant
• UNIVERSITY OF WESTMINSTER

2
The UK Labour Market

3
Workforce Jobs

• There were 28.8 million in jobs in the UK in
  August 2005, an increase of 103,000 since May
  2005.
• In June 2004 78.9 of workforce jobs were in
  services 12 in manufacturing 7 in
  construction, with the rest in agriculture,
  fishing, energy and water.

4
Workforce Jobs /- 1997 to 2004

• 939,000 in Finance and business services
• 893,000 in Public admin, education health
• 478,000 in Distribution, Hotels and
  Restaurants
• 308,000 in Other Services
• 356,000 in Construction
• 159,000 in Transport and communications

• - 26,000 in Energy and Water
• - 133,000 in Agriculture and Fishing
• - 836,000 in Manufacturing

5
The UK has one of the strongest labour markets in
the world.
Source OECD. Note employment rates (2002)
unemployment rates (Aug-03) except the UK
(June-03) and Italy (July-03)
6
Jobcentre Plus Key Policy Challenges

• Lone Parents
• Employment up 10 - nearly 300,000 more in work
• We need to ensure that the benefits of economic
  growth reach all sections of society
• Deprived areas
• Ethnic minorities
• People without qualifications
• Hardest to help

• An ageing society
• By 2007 the number of people over State Pension
  Age will be greater, for the first time, than the
  number of children
• 80 employment aspiration
• This would mean 2.5 million more people in work
  than today

7
Economic Growth

• We need to ensure that the benefits of economic
  growth reach all sections of society
• Deprived areas mostly in cities
• Some ethnic minority groups
• People with no qualifications
• The very hardest to help people with
  disabilities, ex offenders, etc

8
Graduate Positions

• Largest growth in graduate vacancies is in the
  business sector
• Media is the hardest sector to find work
• Competition is very high for graduate positions
• Graduate vacancies are declining
• Most employer will not have knowledge of foreign
  university degrees and therefore it is advisable
  to obtain a comparison
• National Academic Recognition Information Centre
  (NARIC) www.naric.org.uk

9
Graduate Databases

• www.prospects.ac.uk - The UKs official graduate
  careers website
• features sections on careers advice, company
  profiles, employers recruiting and placement
  opportunities
• run by the University Careers Service
• www.eurograduate.com - Careers advice, company
  profiles, vacancies and useful links
• www.get.hobsons.com - Graduate vacancies and
  information
• www.cilt.org.uk - National database of vacancies
  with languages

10
Conditions

• Average earnings are 28,065 pa for men and
  20,314 pa for women
• London has the highest level of pay in the UK,
  due concentration of higher paying industries.
  Many companies in the capital also pay allowances
  to compensate for the high cost of living
• Most workers can expect a 37.5 hour working week
  and four weeks holiday
• All employees are entitled to receive a written
  statement of employment
• For further information about employment
  legislation in the UK contact www.dti.gov.uk or
  www.acas.org.uk

11
Taxation

• Income tax is charged at three rates in the UK
• Starting rate (10) 0 - 2,020
• Basic Rate (22) 2,2021 - 31,400
• Higher Rate (40) over 31,400
• National Insurance contributions of 11 are
  deducted from gross earnings of over 91pw
  (employers contribute a further 12)

12
Jobsearch in the UK

• Vacancies and information
• UK jobs and details of nearest EURES advisers
• www.europa.eu.int/eures
• Internet Jobsites
• www.jobsite.co.uk
• www.totaljobs.co.uk
• www.reed.co.uk
• Private agencies www.rec.uk.com
• Newspapers www.onlinenewspapers.com

13
Money Matters

• In addition to travel costs, you will need money
  for food, accommodation and other expenses until
  you receive your first salary
• Even if you find work immediately, you might need
  to wait a month for your first pay
• Food/household goods cost about 25-30 per person
  per week
• A single room in a 2 star hotel costs from 40
• Public transport is not cheap travel in London
  costs an average of 56 per month

14
Accommodation

• Housing in some parts of the UK is expensive
• Average rental of a one bedroom appt 400/month,
  2 bedroom 600/month
• Rents are 50 higher in London
• Flat shares are cheaper
• One or two months rent in advance will usually be
  required for rented accommodation, plus a deposit
  against damages

15
Accommodation (2)

• Arrange temporary accommodation before you leave,
  www.laterooms.com for last minute hotel deals
• At least take the name addresses of hostels,
  hotels and estate agents with you, www.yell.co.uk
  for details