Current sector employment levels are estimated to be around 90,000 employees, representing 3.1% of regional employment and 16% of the UK Cogent sector workforce. Employment levels are expected to decline slightly to 75,000 in 2014.

All the industries are significant in the region, but there are particularly high levels in the nuclear and chemical industries. There are around 2,500 employers in the region accounting for 13% of employers in the sector. 64% of employers employ fewer than 10 people, which is much lower than the regional figure of 81%.

Data from the Labour Force Survey for the region’s sectoral workforce are variable so some caution is required for the following workforce profile data:

• 9-11% of the workforce is aged 16-24 years
• 40-42% of the workforce is over 45 years
• 69% of the sector workforce is male, compared to 74% nationally
• 99% of the workforce is white, compared to 96% of the region’s workforce
• the proportion of the workforce with higher level qualifications (51%) is in-line with the regional economy (51%) and the UK sector figure (53%)

The gender split in the sector’s regional workforce is expected to be 50/50 in 2014.

The occupational structure of the sector is comparable to other regions and it will remain fairly stable over the next 10 years. A small rise of 2% is projected in management and leadership occupations, whilst operative occupations are projected to decline by 3%. Replacement demand for operatives is, however, high at 8,000 employees over the next 10 years.

18% of employers in the sector reported vacancies with 6% reporting hard-to-fill vacancies and 3% skills shortage vacancies.

76% of employers in the sector provide training. Lack of time and cover were frequently reported as barriers to training, followed by lack of funding and a lack of appropriate courses.

Source: Cogent Sector Skill Needs Assessment 2006