The sector consists of telecoms, and national post and courier activities which dominates employment in the sector. The sector experienced a strong growth due to liberalisation for fixed-line telecommunication networks and the adoption of mobile phones in the late 1990s. Although output is expected to grow rapidly over the next decade, employment is not expected to increase (“Jobless” growth).

The South East, Greater London, North and South West account for more than half of the employment in the sector. The South West has the highest proportion of vacancies.

Employment is concentrated in four main occupations: administrative, clerical and secretarial ; skilled trades ; transport and machine operatives ; elementary occupations.

Reductions in employment in skilled trades, transport and machine operatives, and elementary occupations are expected.

There is a significant replacement demand of 214,000 employees (net total replacement) most of which will take place in administrative, secretarial and clerical occupations. The highest rates of increase are anticipated for some of the newly emerging occupations such as the sales and customer service group.

Women currently account for about a quarter of all jobs, but this has recently risen. It is expected that women will increase their share of employment up to 30% by 2012.

The proportion of ethnic minorities in the sector is relatively high with a higher than average representation of the Asian and Black workforce.

Compared with the whole workforce, the communication sector consists of a younger workforce.

About a third of the workforce hold S/NVQ Level 2, a further 20% is either low or not qualified. The most common types of training are job specific training, health and safety, and training in new technology. Barriers to training are lack of time, cover and funding.