Dacorum 2010
Population and their occupations
The population of Dacorum is 139,600 - 85,900 people are of working age and 64,700 are in employment including self employment. The number of young people (16 – 18) not in education, employment or training at the moment is 5.3% (May 2010), the latest unemployment rate is 6.4% (16+) with 3% claiming JSA or NI credits (16 – 59/64 May 2010). There are 2.9 Job Seekers’ Allowance claimants to every unfilled Job Centre Plus vacancy (June 2010) in Dacorum (4.7 for Great Britain).
Source: ONS mid-year population estimates, ONS annual population survey, Jobcentre Plus vacancies - summary analysis Employee jobs by Industry in Dacorum
| Industry | Numbers | % |
| Manufacturing | 3,100 | 5.1 |
| Construction | 3,500 | 5.7 |
| Distribution, hotels & restaurants | 16,800 | 27.8 |
| Transport & communications | 3,600 | 6.0 |
| Finance, IT, other business activities | 16,600 | 27.4 |
| Public admin, education & health | 13,400 | 22.0 |
| Other services | 3,200 | 5.3 |
| Tourism-related† | 5,400 | 8.9 |
Employee jobs excludes self-employed, government-supported trainees and HM Forces
Source: ONS annual business inquiry employee analysis Qualifications held by and earnings of local residents in Dacorum
Hertfordshire has a highly qualified workforce, with 74.1% of year 11 students achieving level 2 qualifications at 16. However, 69.5% of the residents in Dacorum aged 19 – 59/64 have at least a level 2 qualification and this figure continues to increase as student performance improves. Job seekers are competing with other well qualified applicants. 32.2% of Dacorum residents aged 19 – 59/64 have a level 4 (Degree) qualification.
Source: ONS annual population survey The median full time gross weekly wage of Dacorum residents in 2009 was £561.70. The national trend for gender differences in earnings occurs in Hertfordshire with men earning more than women. Young people looking for their first job can expect to receive between £132 and £192 a week. Apprenticeships minimum pay is currently £95 a week.
Source: ONS annual survey of hours and earnings - resident analysis Employment in Dacorum
The main employment area in Dacorum is around Maylands Avenue to the north east of the town close to Junction 8 of the M1, with other employment areas concentrated to the south on the London Road (A4251). In 2008 there were 7,355 Business Units in Dacorum, 88.7% of them employed less than 10 employees.
The Distribution sector with 29% of jobs and the Banking sector with 28% were the largest sectors in Dacorum and account for over half of all employee jobs in the district.
Some local employers:
| Bourne Leisure Ltd | Travel and Tourism |
| BSI Healthcare and testing services | Business |
| Dacorum Borough Council | Public Service |
| Debenhams plc. | Retail |
| DSG International plc | Retail |
| Epson | IT |
| J Sainsbury plc | Retail |
| Hertfordshire County Council | Local Government |
| Northgate Information Solutions Ltd | IT |
| Tesco plc | Retail |
| Steria UK | Business |
| Waitrose Ltd | Retail |
Advice for young people looking for a first job in Dacorum
Many young people in Dacorum are competing for jobs with local skilled people. The opportunities include Warehousing, Retail, Office, Waiter/Waitress, Bar work, Café work, Telephone reservation, Post office sorting, although it is very quiet at the moment with warehouses moving out and retail suffering in this recession. During this difficult time young people are advised to get voluntary experience if possible and to look further afield in Watford, St Albans and the London Boroughs.
Top 3 areas where year 11 students found employment and training:
· Administration
· Construction
· Hairdressing and related
Source: Youth Connexions Hertfordshire Activity survey 2009