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Workforce Summary

• 26% of businesses currently recruit graduates; a further 19% would be interested in hosting graduates for summer placements or as part of a more structured programme. TDA is working with partners to increase the visibility of graduate programmes in Torbay.
• There is a keen interest in renewable technology, particularly around solar photovoltaics with 42% of respondents saying they would consider installing them on their homes and 32% on their businesses. This is reflected by the growing number of installation companies in the Bay.
• 48% of businesses are satisfied with their broadband connections, while 32% are dissatisfied. The most popular use for business websites is marketing (73%) and banking (70%) but few respondents use online collaboration sites or video conferencing, suggesting there is an opportunity to exploit ICT usage further.
• A significant proportion of Torbay businesses (21%) work from home.
• The percentage of the Torbay workforce with NVQ1 and NVQ2 qualifications is higher than the regional and national averages (ONS Annual Population Survey

Nature and structure of the labour force, demographics

Torbay has a population of 134,300 of which around 60% are of working age. A high proportion of these are older workers with experience.

Education and Qualification

Employers can tap into an available, highly skilled workforce; Torbay has a higher than average proportion of the working population educated to NVQ1 and NVQ2 level, and a lower than average proportion with no qualifications. Skill levels are also on the up, with the percentage of the workforce attaining NVQ levels 1-3 increasing faster than average.
 

Availability

There is real demand for full-time jobs in Torbay with only 0.71 jobs for every person seeking work. The number of people actively looking for work is also well above the national average creating an available and willing work force.

Labour Costs

Torbay offers good value for money for employers with wage costs around 19% lower than the South West region and 26% below the English average. Turnover rates are low, particularly for businesses paying slightly above the local average.

Competitive wage costs in Torbay:

• 22% lower than the South West England average
• 44% lower than London
• 39% lower than Slough
• 31% lower than Manchester
• 26% lower than Leeds

Source: ONS Average Survey of Hours and Earnings Workplace Data - 2009

Gross Annual Pay - All Jobs

London .............................................................................................. £32,624
Greater Manchester (North West) .................................................£26,743
Leeds (Yorkshire /Humberside) ...................................................£24,913
Slough (South East) ........................................................................£30,383
South West average.........................................................................£23,597
Bristol (South West) .........................................................................£25,734
Plymouth (South West) ....................................................................£24,330 Torbay................................................................................................. £18,444

Training and Recruitment Initiatives

Torbay is very proud of the wide selection of training support available from local providers:

• The South Devon College (FE and HE) was rated 'Outstanding' by OFSTED.
• Many training packages are subsidised or FREE and provide a hugely cost-effective option to employers.
• Apprenticeship training across a wide-range of frameworks is available from entry level to degree equivalent and, as salary costs are comparatively low and training is free or subsidised up to 50%, an apprentice provides an attractive recruitment and development option for employers. Locally based organisations can qualify for grants if criteria are met.
• 100% government funded, sector-specific training and recruitment initiatives are available for unemployed residents to assist with skills and training development, which leads to employment.
• Local providers are often able to respond to articulated needs of employers that lead to employment and business growth.

The TDA can assist the development of proposals on request.