What is labour market information (LMI)?

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Labour market information (LMI) tells us about the world of work. It covers information such as how much people earn, how many hours they work, the skills employers are looking for, the opportunities available, and much more. 

This wealth of information can be found in a range of sources including government reports, local authority publications, online vacancies and from employers. It might be presented as data and charts, lists or descriptive content which provide insights and intelligence. LMI can cover the current labour market as well as what might happen in the future.

Every local area has its own distinct labour market and while global, national and regional LMI offers valuable insights, understanding the sector strengths and requirements of your local area can be important for making informed decisions about your future. 

A careers adviser can help you to get the most out of LMI. When considered alongside other factors, it can be a valuable tool for considering your career options and what you do next.  

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How is the labour market changing?

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We’re experiencing a rapidly changing labour market driven by advances in technology, shifts in global markets, changes in the population and the urgent transition towards decarbonisation.

We can expect technological change to continue, especially in AI (artificial intelligence) which will create exciting new career opportunities as well as transform the ways in which we do some jobs. Automation and AI will impact some jobs more than others, especially those that involve routine tasks, but it’s hard to predict exactly what will happen in the future. 

More recently, technology has enabled us to work more flexibly. Some people spend part of their week working remotely from home and for some careers it’s now easier to work for companies based anywhere in the UK, or even overseas. Entrepreneurs can also use digital platforms to enhance their businesses.

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The Kent and Medway labour market

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Kent is the largest county in England and its geographical diversity supports lots of different careers. It boasts a significant maritime border and coastline, extensive agricultural land, and includes densely urbanised areas forming part of Greater London. Depending on where in Kent and Medway you live, there’s an exciting variety of career opportunities.

While job opportunities exist across all sectors to replace people who leave or retire, some industries are experiencing rapid growth and others face significant skill shortages. The good news is that young people in Kent and Medway are going to be highly sought after to fill these in-demand positions.

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You can click here to find out more about sector strengths in Medway 

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This information is from Kent Choices. A website where you can browse post 16 opportunities in our local area.