Dorset is facing a major skills gap that is threatening "vital sectors" across the county, a new report has found. Companies in the region are struggling to recruit, with the number of jobs advertised in the county in the six months to June the highest on record - and 50% up on the same period in 2021.
The latest labour market information, which was released by Dorset Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP), said there were now 88,000 "economically inactive" people in the county. Employment in Dorset fell in the first half of the year, although rates remain favourable when compared to the national level. Unemployment, however, has now reached 4.9%, exceeding national rates for the first time on record.
Carers and office assistants overtook nurses and software developers as the jobs most in demand in Dorset, but companies also continue to advertise for customer service, chefs, cleaners and kitchen staff as the tourism and hospitality revival is further boosted by recent favourable weather conditions.
