skills boost to east cambs economy

The skills and wages of the workforce in East Cambridgeshire are continuing to grow, latest figures reveal this week

In 2007, 39.3 per cent of the working population held an NVQ Level 4 (degree level) qualification, up from 31.1 per cent in 2006. This means 19,000 people in the District now hold a degree level qualification, a rise of 9000 since 2001.

Between 2006 and 2007, earnings by residence were also up, taking the wages received by residents in the District above both the regional and national average.

 

Councillor Ron Bradney, who leads on Economic Development at East Cambridgeshire District Council, said: ”These figures are very encouraging given the state of the economy at the moment. We are clearly becoming a more highly skilled workforce who have a bigger clout when it comes to negotiating higher pay. 

 

“We have had some very positive news recently with some successful planning applications for large business park developments in the District and these figures will hopefully encourage more employers to take notice of what is happening here. East Cambridgeshire has always been an attractive place to do business, and the rise in skills will only add to the appeal. 

 

“However we should not get too carried away. We are at the beginning of what many experts are describing as a severe economic downturn. The next year is going to be very tough for all of us but we are here as a Council to help. We can support local companies by making sure they are in touch with the agencies who can give the best advice possible to ride out this economic storm.” 

 

The latest figures come from NOMIS who produce official labour market statistics for the Office for National Statistics: 

 

Statistic

 

 

2006

 

 

2007

 

 

Change

 

 

Earnings by Residence (gross weekly pay) 

£477.0 

£501.6

 

 

+£24.6

 

 

Earnings by Workplace (gross weekly pay) 

£406.3  

 

£459.4  

 

+£53.1  

 

VAT registered businesses 

3,305  

 

3,350 

 

+45 

NVQ4 and above 

31.1% 

 

39.3% 

+13.6% 

NVQ3 and above 

39.0%  

 

54.8%  

 

+15.8% 

 

NVQ2 and above 

58.3% 

66.8% 

+8.5% 

 

NVQ1 and above  

 

80.7% 

 

74.0% 

 

-6.7% 

 

 

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