Rotherham Investment & Development Office - Workforce
Nature and structure of the labour force, demographics
Rotherham has a population of over a quarter of a million. The town`s superb situation combined with the transport links that connect Rotherham with the rest of the country, mean 2 million people live within an hour`s drive, 1.3 million of whom are working age.
Between 1998 and 2006 the number of jobs located in Rotherham increased by 23,100, from 80,900 to 104,000. The 28.6% rise was the highest increase in Yorkshire & The Humber and amongst the 20 highest increases in the UK.
Rotherham`s workforce includes 19,000 working in the growth clusters (over 18%). Not only is this the highest proportion of any of the South Yorkshire dit is also well above the national average (14%).
The population of the Sheffield City Region is predicted to grow by 15.4% to 2031, according to ONS population projections.
Education and Qualification
There have been improved results in educational achievement in Rotherham at Key Stage 2 (11 years old) and at GCSE level. Key Stage 2 results in Rotherham have risen again in 2008; the average points score rising from 233 in 2007 to 236 in 2008, to stand at 95.2% of the national figure. For the sixth successive year Rotherham`s GCSE attainment has improved, for 2008 at a similar rate to the national average. In 2008 the percent of pupils in Rotherham achieving 5+ GCSEs at grades A*-C was 89.7% of the national figure, compared to 89.3% in 2007.
There has again been an increase in the percentage of Rotherham school leavers entering education, training or employment as a first destination with the rate now at 92.5%; national rate not currently available for 2008 but this is above the previous national rate.
Availability
Rotherham has a recruitment pool of around 1.3 million people of working age within an hour`s drive. Within the town itself there is a population of 253,900 and a working age population of 154,800, 78.7% of whom are economically active.
Rotherham also has a large pool of students looking for work, and both local universities have employment services to match students with suitable vacancies. The area's two universities create around 15,000 graduates each year.
On top of this, excellent rail connections make the town commutable from Manchester, Leeds, Sheffield, Doncaster, Barnsley and Chesterfield, providing a highly skilled, diverse workforce across all sectors.
HR Business Consultants at Rotherham Investment and Development Office can assist inward investors and indigenous companies with all people-related matters. The Consultants are equipped with information about all available recruitment options and offer sector specific knowledge of the local labour market and current employment climate.
Labour Costs
Rotherham enjoys highly competitive labour costs compared to regional and national averages, with Rotherham's average hourly pay standing at £10.89 for full-time positions , well below the national average of £12.47 and the regional average of £11.41.
The gap between local and national wage levels has fluctuated in recent years but has remained consistently below the national level - between 86% and 92% of the UK median average, although the trend is showing a slight decline. When comparing the earnings levels it is important though to consider the lower cost of living for many items in Rotherham.
Training and Recruitment Initiatives
Rotherham Investment and Development Office offers a unique HR consultancy service, that has provided a bespoke service to inward investors and expanding indigenous companies across South Yorkshire, since 2001.
It provides a single point of access in relation to recruitment and development support, through a unique brokerage service based upon established local networks. Furthermore, the service is fully funded and therefore clients will not incur costs for utilising this resource.
The services offered are designed to help with all aspects of workforce development. Job readiness training programmes, funding advice, access to local training and employment networks are just some of the services provided.
Other
The presence of two major universities and one of the largest further education colleges in Britain, mean the region has a distinctly youthful population throughout the year, the universities in Sheffield alone providing 55,000 students and 15,000 graduates annually.
