A booming higher-skill jobs market is driving continued record
employment in the UK, new
figures published today (14 May 2019) from the Office
for National Statistics (ONS) show.
The UK unemployment rate fell again to 3.8%, its lowest level
since 1974, with female unemployment falling even further to a
record low of 3.7%.
14.8 million are now employed in higher skilled roles, from
professional tradespeople to scientists, nurses and accountants –
a boost of 2.6 million since 2010, making up over 75% of the
growth in employment.
Unemployment also remains at its lowest rate since the 1970s at
3.8%, as the figures also showed a record proportion of people
from ethnic minorities are now in work, at 66.5%.
Minister of State for Employment said:
Maintaining our record employment rate with unemployment
falling again to just 3.8%, its lowest rate since 1974, once
again shows the success of our balanced approach to managing
the economy.
Rising wages and booming higher-skilled employment means better
prospects for thousands of families, and with youth
unemployment halving since 2010, we are creating opportunities
for all generations.
We now need to shift some of our focus to upskilling people and
supporting them into roles with real career progression to
create a modern workforce fit for the challenges of the 21st
century."
Wage growth also continued its upward trend this month, growing
by 3.2%, a 1.3% rise in real terms.
Figures also show 3.9 million people from ethnic minority
backgrounds are in work. Despite this encouraging trend, the
department is already going further to support workers in these
groups. Rolling out new jobcentre programmes such as mentoring
circles and establishing closer working links with local
community centres and mosques.
