GoSkills is the Sector Skills Council for the passenger transport sector.  The GoSkills definition of the sector is used in this section, which includes the following industries:

• Bus and coach
• Rail (both light and heavy)
• Taxi (hackney) and private hire
• Aviation
• Driver Training
• Community transport
• Transport planning

Employment levels are projected to grow in the passenger transport sector over the next decade.  16% of UK passenger transport companies reported an increase in employee numbers last year, compared with 8% reporting a decrease. 

It is expected that over the next decade full-time jobs in the sector will be replaced by part-time employment.  Around one third of all passenger transport workers are registered as self-employed.

Within England, difficulties in recruitment are due to applicants lacking the necessary skills, a lack of interest in the sector and a general lack of applicants.  The most common skills gaps are for: communication skills; customer handling; and technical and practical skills. 

The passenger transport sector is concentrated in London which accounts for 30% of employment and the South East which accounts for a further 16%.  London has the highest number of employing organisations compared to other regions. 

Nearly 3 in 10 workers in this sector are classified as Machine and Transport Operatives reflecting the nature of much of the employment in this sector.

There are significant variations in industry recruitments needs throughout the sector. 

London (26%), the South East (22%) and the East Midlands (22%) have the highest percentage of women employed in the sector, which is due to the high numbers employed in the aviation industry.  The sector has an aging workforce.  13% of UK employees are from ethnic minority groups.

There are high levels of training reported by companies in the passenger transport sector: 65% of large companies organised training for their employees; and 81% of micro-businesses.