Labour Market Bulletin Informs Debate On Northern Ireland Progress
Confidence in the Northern Ireland economy is well founded according to latest research data published today.
The Labour Market Bulletin 2005, published by the Department for Employment and Learning, shows that, in terms of rising wealth and falling unemployment, Northern Ireland has outstripped all other areas in the UK over the past decade.
Included in the research findings are a range of indicators demonstrating that progress is being made in a number of important areas namely:
• Employee jobs grew by 30% in the period 1990 – 2005 while UK growth for the same period averaged out at 9%.
• Northern Ireland’s unemployment levels fell by a staggering 58% in the period 1992-2005.
• Increasing wealth indicators per head of the population more than doubled in Northern Ireland, to +101% in the period 1990-2003. The figure represents the biggest change of any region in the UK and exceeds the UK rate of +86%.
While positive signals are arising out of the research material, Dave Rogers, Head of Research and Evaluation Branch at the Department for Employment and Learning, says that some areas of the comprehensive research package have thrown up worrying trends:
“Northern Ireland, for the past 20 years, has continued to score badly on the economically inactive sector, with the working age rate varying in the range of 27%-30% for most of that period. There is no discernable downward trend and we continue to score higher than any other region in the UK.
“However, on the positive side, Northern Ireland has a stream of young, relatively well educated people entering the workforce and the trend towards a high participation in education and training continues.”
Today’s publication also provides an update on the Department’s new Northern Ireland Skills Strategy’s blueprint for increasing skills to anticipate skills requirements for the years ahead. The thrust of the latter is to provide a joined-up network encompassing education, training and the world of work.
NOTES TO EDITORS:
1. The Labour Market Bulletin aims to raise awareness and knowledge of the sector by publishing summaries of research and evaluation projects carried out by the Department and others.
2. Today’s publication is the 19th edition and is available on the Department’s website on www.delni.gov.uk
3. Media enquiries to the Department for Employment and Learning Press Office on 028 9025 7492.
