Our annual Regional Skills Assessment provides an overview of the changing needs of the West Midlands' labour market, along with a detailed exploration of key issues by sector, by sub-region and for key demographic groups.
This year's main report presents a few distinctive sections compared to previous years. It mainly focuses on recent trends, looking also at the impact of recession and prospects for recovery.
The 2009 Assessment will be published on this page in early February 2010 (our previous years' Assessments are available).
What's in the 2009 Assessment?
There's an entire chapter dedicated to future prospects in the region's labour market with forecasts covering both short-medium term (2009 to 2014) and long term (to 2024).
The source of the forecasts is the Integrated Policy Model, an innovative and interactive tool designed by Cambridge Econometrics on behalf of the Observatory.
We also highlight the drivers of skills change and emerging skill needs. The analysis is done by main clusters (for example, high value-added activities such as ICT, environmental technologies or digital media) and key employment sectors, such as Business and Professional Services and Health and Social Care.
Another innovation is a section on ‘Impact Investment Locations’, identified by the Shadow Joint Strategy and Investment Board and their potential for job creation.
Key sectors and clusters in the West Midlands
The main report is complemented by two reports identifying the main skills needs and issues in each of the region's key sectors and clusters. These are grouped into three categories:
- Those driving employment growth, such as Business and Professional Services and Health and Social Care
- Emerging clusters linked to the Government's New Industries New Jobs agenda, such as ICT, Environmental Technologies, Digital Media and Medical Technologies, which are becoming more established in the West Midlands
- Key sectors and clusters in decline, such as Engineering, Transport Technologies, Lifestyles & Interiors and Other Manufacturing
The reports cover aspects such as key employment centres and areas of decline by cluster and sector or the impact of the recession.
You'll also find valuable information on future prospects, using the Integrated Policy Model, changing workforce demographics, a thorough picture of investment in training and up-skilling and key drivers of skills change and emerging skill needs.
Sub-regional profiles
The Assessment includes a series of six detailed sub-regional skills profiles assessing recent trends and future prospects for both the demand for and supply of skills in:
- Birmingham and Solihull
- Black Country
- Coventry and Warwickshire
- Herefordshire and Worcestershire
- Shropshire
- Staffordshire
The profiles highlight key issues to support, in particular, development of Local Economic Assessments by local authorities, the commissioning of 16-19 learning provision and the work of sub-regional Employment and Skills Boards.
You'll also find a list of vital statistics, benchmarking regional and local performance, recent trends in employment in key sectors and clusters, future prospects and more detailed analysis of skills issues for disadvantaged groups and communities.
The 2009 Assessment will be published on this page in early February 2010.