Introduction
The World of Work
To find out more about the world of work you need to know about Labour Market Information (LMI).
LMI is information about what is happening in the world of work and is important when you are:
- applying for a job
- making decisions about career choices and courses - you need to know not only about the vacancies are on offer now but also how the job market might change in a few years.
What's the most important message from LMI?
It's vital to keep learning at work. If you want, or need, to move on to another job in the future, you'll find it much easier if you have some evidence of what you can do at work. The best evidence you can give an employer is a CV that includes qualifications as well as work experience.
Some Key Job Vacancy Trends:
Unskilled job vacancies – jobs where you don't need any qualifications to get started in the job and don't do any training at work are harder to find as employers ask for some qualifications and/or expect you to train as part of a job.
Temporary jobs, seasonal work, evening and weekend work, as well as part-time hours are all now part of the job market - so you'll have to be flexible. Any work can be a brilliant way to improve your skills and experience and there may be a chance of being kept on or being offered more hours by your employer.
What can I do to survive in difficult economic times?
Be prepared to travel for work – don't just look at jobs in your home town, but also into other parts of the Black Country area and Birmingham, which has a large business, finance and retail sector.
Make sure that you have a back-up plan. Don't just have one plan - you may be keen to get a job as soon as possible, but what else could you do as a back-up?
Don't just apply for jobs think about other options such as going to college or staying at school to do a work-related course to help you prepare for work. It makes sense to build up your skills and qualifications.
Don't take a job without training - just because it is a job. There will continue to be a demand for workers in the future who are skilled and qualified to at least level two so take any opportunity you can to improve your qualifications.
The job I've chosen doesn't offer training - what can I do?
If you are working and didn't get any level 2 qualications, you may be entitled to paid time off for study or training.You can find out more on the www.gov.uk website.
There are also new right to train at work opportunities for all employees at some workplaces.
Find out more about the world of work in Walsall
Have you seen the new "Ink Facts" for this page? Download all the main information in a printable factsheet.
