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Nature and structure of the labour force, demographics

Kent is a large county, both geographically and in the size of its population. The 2006 Mid Year Population Estimates from ONS give Kent's population as 1,382,900, making Kent the largest non-metropolitan local authority in England and Wales in 2006.

The 2001 Population Census shows a number of key characteristics of the Kent workforce. Currently, the normal retirement age is 59 for women and 64 for men. However, many people continue to work beyond standard retirement age so therefore the age band is extended to 74 to capture these people in this analysis.

The four main sectors within Kent residents are employed are wholesale & retail, mining, manufacturing, energy and water supply, and health & social services. The smallest industry for Kent`s residents is agriculture. However, a greater proportion of the economically active population in employment work in this industry compared to the South East, reflecting the importance of this sector within Kent. Other sectors where Kent has significantly higher proportions of its residents in employment than the South East average include construction, wholesale & retail and health & social services.

Click access to Business Location Kent website to discover more.

Education and Qualification

Results at GCSE and A2 level are high in Kent, which operates a Grammar/High/Comprehensive school system with many independent establishments too. Kent universities have a student population of 32,000 and contribute more than 11,000 graduates to the workforce each year. The universities and colleges work with local companies to provide students with real work experience. In some instances they will also provide tailor made courses for individual companies. Over 380,000 students are also accessible from London and other neighbouring counties.

Availability

Although Kent is relatively self-contained, a significant proportion of the resident workforce commutes to work. Kent`s proximity to the capital city makes London a key workplace for residents of Kent. 13.3% of Kent`s resident workforce (just over 80,800 people), commute to London for work. This is equivalent to more than two-thirds of all those who commute out of Kent.

Those who commute from Kent to London are more likely to:

• Be in the age bands 25-44.
• Be employed in financial intermediation, real estate, renting & business activities, and public administration & defence.
• Be in either higher managerial, professional, lower managerial or intermediate occupations.

This shows that London attracts workers who are potentially some of the `best` workers from Kent. They are relatively young, in senior occupations and in work industries that contribute a relatively high value to the economy.

Labour Costs

Salaries are very competitive compared to the rest of the South East, and to London in particular. Kent also has access to free and subsidised training. The UK has one of the most attractive labour environments in Europe with competitive wage costs and low levels of labour disputes.

2008 NOMIS/ONS annual survey of hours & earnings

Training and Recruitment Initiatives

Apprenticeship programme is designed to manage and facilitate the creation of 1,000 apprenticeship opportunities across Kent, both within KCC and in other public and private sector organisations. Leader of KCC, Paul Carter, said: "As the largest employer in Kent, KCC has pledged to provide a minimum of 250 apprenticeship placements to young people by 2010, in an initiative branded as Kent Success."

The business case is based on the need to encourage young people into the organisation to replace the ageing workforce. Most employers believe that improved skills could help their business. Some employers think they cannot afford to train. Those who want to train often don`t know how to go about it. However, a wide range of training or employee development opportunities are provided in Kent, without charge or at substantially reduced costs to existing companies and those moving into the area.

Other

London and the South East have the largest pool of labour in a single region in Europe, with over 11 million potential workers. Kent and Medway itself has a population of over 1.6 million and a workforce of more than 780,000 people. Significant additional labour can be found close by - more than 100,000 people commute from Kent into London, who in many cases would rather work closer to home.

The local workforce includes a high percentage of those in roles working within a wide range of industries. Salaries are very competitive compared to the rest of the South East, and to London in particular. Kent also has access to free and subsidised training. The UK has one of the most attractive labour environments in Europe with competitive wage costs and low levels of labour disputes.

For more information, please visit the Locate in Kent website.