People & Skills
Information about People and Skills includes data on population and protected characteristics, employment, education and attainment.
reported in a range of technical, specialist, and soft skills.
profile than the rest of England (excluding London).
than in the rest of England (excluding London).
live in the North East after 5 years.
About this investment theme
The focus for this investment theme is to:
- Boost core skills and support adults to progress in work, by targeting adults with no or low level qualifications and skills in maths, upskilling the working population, and encouraging innovative approaches to reducing learning barriers.
- Support disadvantaged people to access the skills they need to progress in life and into work.
- Support local areas to fund local skills needs and supplement local adult skills provision.
- Reduce levels of economic inactivity and move those furthest from the labour market closer to employment, through investment in bespoke employment support tailored to local need.
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Population and protected characteristics
Projected population increase in the North East is much lower than nationally and varies across local authorities. The North East experiences poor health outcomes compared to nationally, and there is considerable variation within the region too.
The North East has an ageing population, with the number of people aged 65 and over projected to grow by 133,000 by 2043. The region also has a greater proportion of working age disabled residents than England excluding London, and ethnic minorities make up a smaller percentage of the region's working age population.
Projected population changes, 2018-43 by five-year period and age group, North East area
Source: Population projections - local authority based by single year of age (ONS via Nomis); latest release (2018-based): 24 Mar 2020; next release (2021-based): Apr 2024
Data information: Projections of potential future population size and structure from 2018 onwards. Based on assumed levels of future fertility, mortality and migration.
Local authority level population estimates for 2018 are likely to be revised in the light of data from the 2021 Census. Therefore, the assumptions behind these projections may be based on inaccurate data. The next release will use assumptions based on the latest census data.
- The population is projected to increase by just over 54,000 between 2018 and 2028. However, in that decade, the working-age (16 to 64) population is projected to decrease by over 10,000.
- In the following 15 years, the population is projected to increase by a further 45,000 with the number of 16 to 64 year olds falling by 11,000
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Projected population change by age group, 2018-43, North East area
Source: Population projections - local authority based by single year of age (ONS via Nomis); latest release (2018-based): 24 Mar 2020; next release (2021-based): Apr 2024
Data information: Projections of potential future population size and structure from 2018 onwards. Based on assumed levels of future fertility, mortality and migration.
Local authority level population estimates for 2018 are likely to be revised in the light of data from the 2021 Census. Therefore, the assumptions behind these projections may be based on inaccurate data. The next release will use assumptions based on the latest census data.
- The number of people aged 65 and over is projected to grow by 76,000 in the ten years to 2028 and by 133,000 between 2018 and 2043
- Between 2018 and 2028 there are large population decreases projected among those aged under 16 and 50 to 64 (by 12,000 and 25,000)
- The population aged 16 to 24 is projected to grow by 14,000 in the ten year period with the 25 to 49 population almost unchanged
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Projected 10 and 25 year population change (%), North East area local authorities
Source: Population projections - local authority based by single year of age (ONS via Nomis);
latest release (2018-based): 24 Mar 2020; next release (2021-based): Apr 2024
Data information: Projections of potential future population size and structure from 2018 onwards. Based on assumed levels of future fertility, mortality and migration.
Local authority level population estimates for 2018 are likely to be revised in the light of data from the 2021 Census. Therefore, the assumptions behind these projections may be based on inaccurate data. The next release will use assumptions based on the latest census data.
- County Durham's population is projected to experience the largest increase from 2018; by 20,000 to 2028 and by 35,000 to 2043
- Sunderland's population is the only one projected to decrease, although only slightly; by less than 1,000 to 2028 and by 2,000 to 2043
- In percentage terms, the projected increase is highest in North Tyneside; by 5.2 per cent to 2028 and by 10.1 per cent to 2043
- These projected increases are slightly higher than for England excluding London (5.0 and 10.0 per cent, respectively)
- The projected percentage increases in the North East LEP area are much lower than nationally; 2.7 per cent to 2028 and 5.0 per cent to 2043
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Projected 25 year population change, by age, North East LEP area local authorities
Source: Population projections - local authority based by single year of age (ONS via Nomis); latest release (2018-based): 24 Mar 2020; next release (2021-based): Apr 2024
Data information: Projections of potential future population size and structure from 2018 onwards. Based on assumed levels of future fertility, mortality and migration.
Local authority level population estimates for 2018 are likely to be revised in the light of data from the 2021 Census. Therefore, the assumptions behind these projections may be based on inaccurate data. The next release will use assumptions based on the latest census data.
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% of residents who are EA core disabled, Jan – Dec 2021
- In 2021 there were 306,600 working age people in the North East LEP area classified as disabled using the Equality Act (EA) core definition. This represented 25.3% of the total population in this age group, a higher percentage than in England excluding London (21.9%)
- Within the North East, the highest percentages of working age disabled people were in Gateshead and Sunderland
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Working age disability by sex, Jan-Dec 2021, North East CA area
Just over 55% of North East working age disabled people in 2021 were female
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Working age ethnic minority population by ethnicity (%) Jan – Dec 2021
About 5.5% of the North East working age population (16-64) is from an ethnic minority, a much smaller percentage than in England excluding London (11.7%). Newcastle has a much higher percentage than any other North East local authority area.
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Working age population from an ethnic minority (% of total) Jan – Dec 2021
The North East ethnic minority working age population includes a much higher percentage of people from an ethnic background other than from the black, Indian, Pakistani/Bangladeshi or mixed ethnic groups. It also has a higher percentage from the black or black British ethnic group
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Employment
The North East has a smaller proportion of professional roles, and a higher percentage of workers in non-permanent employment than England excluding London.
In 2019, North East employers reported a range of technical and soft skills gaps, with the largest gap compared to nationally being specialist skills or knowledge. In 2019, over three fifths of North East employers reported a need to upskill staff in the following 12 months.
Over half of North East employment is in health, manufacturing, education, retail and hospitality.
Employment by industry sector in registered enterprises (% of total) North East LEP area, 2020
- In 2020, more than three in every twenty North East employees worked in health
- Manufacturing, education, retail and hospitality were each responsible for 9 to 10% of North East employment
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Net change in employment by industry sector North East LEP area, (Jan-Dec 2020 to Jan-Dec 2021)
According to more up to date statistics for broader categories, North East employment in many service industries decreased between 2020 and 2021
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Employment by occupation group (% of total), North East LEP area (Jan - Dec 21)
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Net change in employment by occupation subgroup, North East LEP (2020-21)
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Non-permanent employment (% of all employment) North East LEP area, England excluding London
In January-December 2021, about 48,000 people in the North East LEP area were working in non-permanent employment. This represented about 5.4% of all in employment, up from 4.7% a year earlier and higher than the rate for England excluding London (4.6%).
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People employed on a zero hours contract (% of all in employment) North East region, England excluding London
In the last three months of 2021, about 32,000 people in the North East region were in employment on a zero-hours contract, about 2.7% of all in employment. The North East region’s rate was lower than that for England excluding London (3.3%) and was down from 3.5% a year earlier. (Note that regional data can be volatile).
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Technical / practical skills that need improving in occupations with skills gaps (%), 2019
In the North East LEP area, the most mentioned technical or practical skill needing improvement was role-specific specialist skills and knowledge, cited in 62% of cases, a higher percentage than nationally (53%). Organisation-specific and product-specific knowledge; the ability to solve complex problems; adapting to new equipment or materials; using guidance; and basic IT skills were each mentioned in more than 30% of North East cases.
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Soft/ people skills that need improving in occupations with skills gaps (%), 2019
The most mentioned people or soft skill in the North East was the ability to manage time and tasks, which needed development in 59% of cases. Team working, managing feelings and handling customers were each mentioned in more than 40% of cases. On the whole, these types of skills were less cited in the North East than nationally as requiring improvement.
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Skills requiring developing in the next 12 months (% of all companies requiring upskills), 2019
In 2019, about 61% of North East establishments stated that there would be a need for upskilling in the following 12 months. Among these, the most cited skills that required development were role-specific specialist skills; product-specific knowledge; adapting to new equipment or materials; solving complex problems; and IT skills
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Education and attainment
The North East has a lower qualifications profile than the rest of England, and progress to address this has slowed.
More young people in the region are moving into further education compared to nationally, and just over three quarters of students finishing 16-18 study in 2018/2019 moved into sustained education, an apprenticeship, or employment. Despite this, apprenticeship and education achievement totals have decreased during the past two years.
Apprenticeships
Destinations of apprenticeship learners (%) 2016/17 and 2018/19, North East LEP area
- In 2018/19, just over 8,900 learners achieved an apprenticeship as their highest aim. Apprenticeships are paid jobs that include an off-the-job programme of learning
- About 91% of these learners had a sustained destination of employment, learning or both in the following year. 71% went into sustained employment only, 2% went into sustained learning only and 18% combined employment and learning
- The percentage with a sustained destination was one percentage point lower than that for the 2017/18 cohort. This change was driven by a five percentage point decrease in the proportion going into sustained employment only, although this was almost completely offset by a four percentage point increase in the proportion going into combined employment and education
- The North East’s percentage with a sustained destination was the same as that for England as a whole. Nationally, a larger percentage went into sustained employment only, with a smaller percentage going into combined employment and learning
- The total percentage going into sustained employment varied little by level of apprenticeship, ranging from 89% to 90%. However, the proportions going into employment that was not combined with learning were more variable. They ranged from 67% among those achieving the lowest level of apprenticeship to 83% among those achieving the highest.
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Apprenticeship achievements by level, 2018/19 to 2020/21 North East LEP area
There were 6,510 apprenticeship achievements in the North East LEP area in 2020/21. This is a lower total than in each of the two previous years, although the latest decrease was much smaller than in 2019/20 and included increases in the numbers of advanced and higher level apprenticeship achievements.
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Apprenticeship achievements by subject (%), 2020/21
The latest breakdown of achievements by subject varied only slightly to England’s.
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Apprenticeship achievements, five main subjects, 2018/19 to 2020/21 North East LEP area
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Further Education
Further Education aims achievements by level, 2018 - 2021
The fall in the number achievements has been faster in lower level courses.
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FE aims achievements by subject (%), 2020/21
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FE aims achievements by subject, 2018/19 to 2020/21
More than half of North East further education aims achievements in 2020/21 were in two subjects: preparation for life and work; and health, public services and care.
North East achievements in the former have almost halved in the past two years
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Higher education and graduates
Higher education students from the North East are more likely to study here and more likely to be living here five years after graduation. Approximately 40% of graduates from the four regional universities were still living in the North East after 5 years, although regional residency of graduates five years after graduating varies greatly by University.
North East HE specialisms are focused in physical sciences and geography, earth and environmental studies. North East graduates in 2018/19 were less likely to be working full-time than 2017/18 equivalents, and more likely to be combining employment with study or be unemployed.
Higher education qualifiers by subject as a % of England total, 2020/21 North East LEP area universities
- In percentage terms, the North East’s specialisms among England’s qualifiers are headed by physical sciences and geography, earth and environmental studies
- A further six subjects also had 5% or more of qualifiers in England
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Higher education qualifiers by subject and level, 2020/21 North East LEP area universities
- Almost 7,700 higher education qualifiers from North East universities in 2020/21 were studying business and management subjects
- Subjects allied to medicine; social sciences; engineering and technology; and education and teaching each had over 2,000 qualifiers
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Destinations of graduates from North East LEP area universities
- Almost 79% of graduates from HE institutions in the North East who responded were in employment 15 months after graduation, including over 11% combining employment with further study. The England percentage (almost 80%) was slightly higher but North East graduates were slightly more likely to be in full-time employment
- Almost 21% of North East graduates were in further study, a higher proportion than nationally (almost 19%). In both cases, more than half were combining study with employment
- About 6.8% of North East graduates were unemployed with a further 5% not participating in the labour market for non-study reasons (e.g. caring roles, travel or retirement). These percentages were similar to the national equivalents
- The latest survey was only the second but responses show differences in destinations, possibly due to the impact of COVID on the economy. North East graduates in 2018/19 were less likely to be working full-time than the 2017/18 equivalents. They were more likely to be combining employment with study or to be unemployed
- Almost 86% of 2018/19 North East postgraduate qualifiers were in employment 15 months later, compared to just over 75% of undergraduate qualifiers. The latter were more likely to be undertaking further study and were also almost twice as likely to be unemployed.
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Regions of residence of UK domiciled graduates from North East LEP area universities (%)
Source: Graduate outcomes (LEO) full cycle movement underlying data (DfE)
Data information: North East region includes North East and Tees Valley LEP areas, “Other Northern England” includes North West and Yorkshire and the Humber regions. “Greater South East” includes London, South East and East of England. Labels show rounded percentages, chart displays unrounded data.
- Five years after graduation, just under two fifths (39%) of graduates from the four universities in the North East LEP area were still living in the North East region. This was slightly higher than the percentage that had a home residence in the region prior to study (36%)
- About 30% of the graduates were living in London, the South East and East of England (the “Greater South East”), about 11 percentage points higher than the proportion before study. Comparing the cohorts of 2014/15 and 2016/17 graduates suggests that much of the movement to the “Greater South East” took place between the first and third year after graduation
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Regions of residence five years after graduation (%) by North East LEP area university
Source: Graduate outcomes (LEO) full cycle movement underlying data (DfE)
Data information: North East region includes North East and Tees Valley LEP areas, “Other Northern England” includes North West and Yorkshire and the Humber regions. “Greater South East” includes London, South East and East of England. Labels show rounded percentages, chart displays unrounded data.
- The regions of residence of graduates five years after graduation varied greatly by North East university. About 82% of graduates from Sunderland were in the North East region, compared just 9% from Durham, 29% from Newcastle and 52% from Northumbria. These percentages were similar to or slightly higher than the percentages of graduates with a home in the region, except in Newcastle where there was an eight percentage point net increase
- Graduates from Durham were more likely to have originated in the Greater South East than in the three northern regions of England and much more likely to be living there five years after graduation. For each of the other three universities, more than half of graduates originated in the North of England and more than half were living in the north five years after graduation
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Regions of study and residence (%), graduates originating in the North East region, UK comparisons
Source: Graduate (LEO) full cycle movement underlying data (DFE).
- Over three fifths of graduates with a home in the North East region had studied in the region. Nationally, less than two fifths of graduates studied in their home region.
- Five years after graduation about 85% of graduates originating in the North East region were living in the region. Almost two thirds of these had studied in the North East. Nationally, about 73% of graduates were in their home region, with less than half of this percentage being graduates who had studied in their own region.
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Evidence review on 'what works'
In support of the development of the regional UKSPF evidence base, we have compiled a list of policy evaluations and evidence reviews aligned with the UKSPF investment themes. This summary can be found here.
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