Watford 2010
Population and their occupations
The population of Watford is 81,000 – 52,300 people are of working age and 40,900 are in employment including self employment. The number of young people (16 – 18) not in education, employment or training at the moment is 5.8% (May 2010), the latest unemployment rate is 5.8% (16+) with 3.4% claiming JSA or NI credits (16 – 59/64 May 2010). There are 3.7 Job Seekers’ Allowance claimants to every unfilled Job Centre Plus vacancy (June 2010) in Watford (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 Watford
| Industry | Numbers | % |
| Manufacturing | 3,300 | 6.3 |
| Construction | 3,000 | 5.9 |
| Distribution, hotels & restaurants | 14,900 | 28.9 |
| Transport & communications | 2,500 | 4.8 |
| Finance, IT, other business activities | 16,000 | 31.1 |
| Public admin, education & health | 9,300 | 18.0 |
| Other services | 2,500 | 4.9 |
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 Watford
Hertfordshire has a highly qualified workforce, with 74.1% of year 11 students achieving level 2 qualifications at 16. However, 58.8% of the residents in Watford 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. 26% of Watford residents aged 19 – 59/64 have a level 4 (Degree) qualification.
Source: ONS annual population survey The median full time gross weekly wage of Watford residents in 2009 was £571.4. 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 Watford
Watford Business Park and the Croxley Business Park are the main employment areas in Watford, Clarendon Road is home to major financial and business service employers. In 2008 there were 4,215 Business Units in Watford, over 82.6% of them employed less than 10 employees.
The Distribution sector with 28.9% of jobs and the Finance, business and IT sector with 31% were the largest sectors in Watford and account for over half of all employee jobs in the district.
Some local employers:
| AEGON | Finance |
| Asda | Retail |
| Baker Tilly | Finance |
| Balfour Beatty Engineering Services | Construction |
| John Lewis | Retail |
| Marks and Spencer | Retail |
| Royal Mail | Sorting and Delivery |
| Sigma Pharmaceuticals plc | Pharmaceuticals |
| Tesco plc | Retail |
| TK Maxx | Head Office Retail |
| Total UK Ltd | Petrochemicals |
| Trinity Mirror Printing (Watford) Ltd | Printing |
| VINCI Construction UK | Construction |
| Watford Borough Council | Local Government |