Herts Ahead

North Hertfordshire 2010

Population and their occupations

The population of North Hertfordshire is 123,800 – 75,100 people are of working age and 63,000 are in employment including self employment. The number of young people (16 – 18) not in education, employment or training at the moment is 5.6% (May 2010), the latest unemployment rate is 5.4% (16+) with 2.7% claiming JSA or NI credits (16 – 59/64 May 2010). There are 4.4 Job Seekers’ Allowance claimants to every unfilled Job Centre Plus vacancy (June 2010) in North Hertfordshire (4.7 for Great Britain).

Employee jobs by Industry in North Hertfordshire

Employee jobs excludes self-employed, government-supported trainees and HM Forces

Qualifications held by and earnings of local residents in North Herts

Hertfordshire has a highly qualified workforce, with 74.1% of year 11 students achieving level 2 qualifications at 16. However, 73% of the residents in North Herts 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. 34.3% of North Herts residents aged 19 – 59/64 have a level 4 (Degree) qualification.

The median full time gross weekly wage of North Herts residents in 2009 was £577.40. 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.

Employment in North Herts

The main employment areas in North Herts are in Hitchin, Letchworth and Royston.

In 2008 there were 6,426 Business Units in North Hertfordshire; 88.1% of them employed fewer than 10 employees. Manufacturing in North Hertfordshire is an important sector with over 14% of the employee jobs.

The main industrial estates and business parks include: Letchworth Business Park (off the A505 towards Baldock), Pixmore Industrial Estate (Pixmore Avenue), Jubilee Trade Centre (Jubilee Road) and estates off Icknield Way, Blackhorse Road and Works Road. In Hitchin they are located at Wilbury Way/Cadwell Lane, Bury Mead Road, Cooks Way and Station Approach and York Way and Orchard Road in Royston.

Some local employers

Advice for young people

This is an area that is spread out and rural in parts, work can be situated in places without public transport links. If young people have their own transport this would be an advantage in looking for work. The opportunities include motor vehicle, light engineering/industry and office work in North Herts.  During this difficult time young people are advised to get voluntary experience if possible and to look further afield and search for jobs every day.

Top 3 areas where year 11 students found employment and training:

·         Construction skills

·         Motor vehicle

·         Hairdressing and related