The environmental and land-based sector represents approximately 1 million employees, which is 3.4% of total employment in the UK, plus a further 500,000 volunteers.  There are over 210,000 businesses in the sector of which 90% employ less than 10 people.  Only 1% of businesses employ 50 staff or more.

The sector contributes an estimated 5.67% to the national Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

79% of the workforce work full-time and 21% work part-time.  93% of employees are permanent, whilst 7% are classified as temporary workers.

Self-employment is a key feature of the sector with approximately 80% of the workforce as proprietors, and 20% of the workforce are employed staff.  Although self-employment levels are expected to decline, Lantra will continue to have one of the highest shares of workers in self-employment

Lantra faces a continuing decline in total employment, with a further 15% of jobs expected to be lost over the next 10 years.  This continuing decline will, however, be at a slower rate than experienced over the last 20 years.  The decline in employment will be mainly among male and full-time employees.

Over the next decade, the total requirement is positive for all occupational groups with the exception of elementary occupations.  A net requirement of 97,400 employees will be needed across all occupations.

Employment equivalent to 1-in-5 of the current workforce will need to be recruited to the sector over the next 10 years to 2014.  Around 70% of new recruits, equivalent to 73,000 workers, will be needed in skilled trades occupations.

Source: Working Futures 2006, Sector Skills Agreement Stage 1: Overview 2005, Sector Skills Agreement Stage 1: Key Drivers of Skill Demand 2005 and Sector Skills Agreement Stage 1: Analysis of Current and Future Skills Needs 2005

Keyword
Gross Domestic Product (GDP) is a measure of the value of goods and services produced, before allowing for depreciation or capital consumption.

For more data on the employment status of the workforce, numbers employed and distribution of businesses by industry see: