This justice sector is complex including the following sub-sectors and activities:

• Policing and law enforcement
• Public prosecution
• Court services
• Custodial care
• Community justice

The justice sector employs approximately 559,800 people.  There are just under 4,000 organisations and an estimated 12,500 voluntary organisations working in the sector.  There is no estimate of the number of volunteers.  66% of organisations in the sector report using volunteers mainly to provide support to justice professionals

Employment levels are forecast to increase by 2014, expanding by 12,600 workers.  The sector workforce will increase in the police and law enforcement by a further 8,000 and community justice by a further 4,200. 

30% organisations are affected by skills gaps; a problem which is increasing.  Skills gaps are reported for managers, professionals and technical occupational areas.  National skills gaps are for IT skills, knowledge of the legislation and regulations, plus generic skills in leadership, supervision, general management and team working.

Recent legislative reforms are changing working practices and cultures, which has implications for training and skills requirements.

A stronger labour demand is anticipated in Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales, but there are variations in occupational demands by region.  Wales, Northern Ireland and London will have greater recruitment difficulties compared to the national picture, which are the result of a low number of applicants with the required skills.

The occupational profile of the sector indicates that 53% of workers are in the associated professional and technical occupations, whilst 21% are in administrative, clerical and secretarial occupations.

Workforce profile:

• 39% of the workforce are female
• the majority of the workforce are aged 35-44 years (33%)
• 5% of the workforce are from minority ethnic groups

There is limited data on the proportion of the workforce with a disability.

59% of the workforce has the equivalent of a NVQ Level 2 or 3 qualification, compared to 46% in the UK workforce.  Employers are more likely to expect recruits to have a professional qualification or a degree than those in other sectors.