Bournemouth
Hotels, catering, tourism, retail and the administrative/ICT sectors drive the Bournemouth economy.
Administration/ICT
In the eighties many national building societies and insurance companies relocated to Bournemouth. Due to recent international financial market problems arising from things like the September 11th tragedy and the progress of ICT which has resulted in reductions of many traditional office work functions, some of the larger companies have recently reduced their workforces. Although some have relocated out of the town altogether most still retain their offices but with smaller numbers of staff.
Nevertheless opportunities within the ICT, office, clerical and administrative sector are still generally available.
Forward projections estimate that there will be a growing need for managers at both middle and higher levels within the ICT sector if our companies are going to be able to remain competitive. This means that employees with NVQ levels 3&4 will be especially sought after as we continue in this decade and beyond.
Hotels and catering
As fewer people choose to take their holidays outside of England or choose to take more short breaks rather than a two week period, areas like Bournemouth have found the tourism year which was once Easter to October, extending throughout the year. This has increased the numbers of visitors who want and expect top quality facilities and services.
Many hotels struggle to find qualified experienced staff, and some have been looking abroad to recruit the numbers they need at all levels.
Despite the many cooking programmes, catering in particular is still finding it hard to raise its profile to encourage young people to consider the opportunities available to them. There is currently a huge shortage of chefs and staff of all types within the hotels, restaurants and bars across the area. Salaries have risen to attract good staff, and many places are looking at what incentives they can offer staff such as free transport, leisure access and meals.
What does this mean for young people?
Many places continue to offer part-time or holiday work.
However to encourage more young people to consider joining the sector as a long-term career, lots of publicity is planned which will highlight the benefits and career progression available.
Retail
Although the entire county has retail opportunities, due to the number of shops, Bournemouth requires the largest numbers of staff.
In particular the new development at Castle Point is due to continue expanding over the next few years. This will result in increasing numbers of staff being required.
Whilst many opportunities are available part-time, the retail sector recognises that to attract the staff necessary opportunities need to be available covering both full and part-time hours and the larger chains offer training programmes or Modern Apprenticeships.
Whilst some managers are recruited from MA’s, graduate or other trainee programmes, a high percentage have still ‘worked their way up’.
Many young people find part-time employment within retail an easy and available to way to find work, and the opportunities will continue. However, as with other sectors managers will be particularly sought and those with NVQ levels 3&4 will be have far more choice - and be able to earn more - in their future careers.