Luton - Workforce
Workforce Summary
Luton's workforce is diverse, highly-skilled, competitively educated, and comparatively young (40% of luton's workforce is under 30). Luton's baseline economically active is quite high, averaging approximately 72%. Considerable labour flexibility exists, however, thanks to a high proportion of the population working part-time. Luton's history as a manufacturing centre complements the present emphasis on fostering growth in the local economy's key sectors:
Key Sectors in Luton:
- Aerospace and Airport
- Engineering and Automotive
- Information, Communications and Technology
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Creative Arts and Media
Nature and structure of the labour force, demographics
Luton's working age population, according to NOMIS, is approximately 130,500. There were approximately 80,100 jobs in Luton during 2010, of which approximately 69.5% are full-time positions, with 30.5% part-time positions.
Historically, manufacturing has been the largest employer in the region, however, following the broader national trend towards developing the service sector in the region, the percentage of manufacturing jobs as a portion of the Luton economy has fallen. This trend is currently being reflected by the top ten vacancies notified at the Job Centre. Distribution, transport, communications and food collectively make up the largest industrial sector in Luton, contributing 24% of GVA. This indicates the importance of the airport to Luton.
Education and Qualification
The educational profile of Luton's workforce is quite strong, with 23% of the population being educated to NVQ 4 level. Approximately 40% of the population has attained NVQ 3 level, and 55% has attained NVQ Level 2 and above. Luton's proximity to University of Bedfordshire, Cranfield, Cambridge and London Universities provides an easily accessible array of skilled workers in every specialist field.
Labour Costs
According to NOMIS, the average weekly pay in Luton is £479.00, which places it considerably below the average regional weekly pay (£528.30) and below the national average (£503). Hourly pay follows the same arc, with Luton workers averaging an hourly salary of £11.71.
