Labour Market Information
What is Labour Market Information?
Labour Market Information, often referred to as LMI, helps us understand what is happening in the world of work. It provides information about different careers and industries, including:
- which jobs and employment sectors are growing;
- which occupations are in demand locally and nationally;
- typical salaries and working hours;
- the qualifications and training required for different careers;
- the skills employers are looking for;
- apprenticeship, technical education and graduate opportunities; and
- how the world of work may change in the future.
Understanding LMI enables students to make informed and ambitious decisions about GCSE and post-16 options, further and higher education, apprenticeships, training and future careers.
How we use LMI at Neston High School
At Neston High School, we aim to ensure that all students have access to relevant, accurate and up-to-date Labour Market Information throughout their careers journey.
Students encounter LMI through PSHE and careers education, curriculum subjects, employer encounters, careers events, Unifrog and individual careers guidance. Teachers also highlight how subjects, knowledge and employability skills connect to opportunities within the local and national labour market.
Students are encouraged not simply to look at careers they already know about, but to use LMI to explore new possibilities, challenge assumptions and understand where future opportunities may exist.
Explore your future with Unifrog
Every student has access to Unifrog, which provides personalised careers and progression information.
Through Unifrog's Careers Library and other tools, students can investigate hundreds of different careers and compare information such as entry requirements, qualifications, skills, salary expectations and future employment opportunities.
Students can also use the results of their interests, skills and personality activities to discover careers which may suit their individual strengths, preferences and aspirations.
Log in to Unifrog here → www.unifrog.org
We encourage students to revisit this information regularly. Career aspirations can change and the labour market continues to evolve.
Understanding the National Labour Market
It is important that students develop an awareness of the national labour market and how the world of work is changing across the UK. National Labour Market Information (LMI) provides valuable insight into employment trends, growing and declining industries, skills shortages, salary expectations and the occupations that are expected to be in demand in the future. Understanding these trends can help students recognise opportunities beyond their local area and make informed decisions about their GCSE and post-16 options, apprenticeships, further and higher education, training and future careers. Our National LMI Dashboard below provides an accessible snapshot of the UK labour market, highlighting key employment sectors, areas of growth, skills in demand and emerging career opportunities. Students are encouraged to use this information alongside their own interests, strengths and aspirations to explore where their future could take them.
Understanding our Local Labour Market
Knowing what is happening locally is particularly important. Students should understand the employment opportunities, growth sectors and skills needs within Cheshire West and Chester, the Liverpool City Region and the wider North West, while also considering opportunities across the UK and internationally.
Our LMI information is regularly reviewed so that students can understand how changes in employment, technology and the economy may affect the opportunities available to them.
Questions to ask when Researching a Career
When exploring a career, students should consider:
· What does the job involve?
· What skills will I need?
· What qualifications or training will I need?
· What could I earn?
· Is demand for this career growing or declining?
· Where are the opportunities locally and nationally?
· What different routes could I take into this career?
· Could an apprenticeship, college course or university degree lead me there?
LMI should form part of the decision-making process rather than being viewed in isolation. Students should combine this information with their own interests, strengths, skills, aspirations and personal careers guidance.
Information for Parents and Carers
Parents and carers play an important role in supporting young people's career decisions. We encourage families to explore Labour Market Information together and discuss how employment opportunities, skills requirements and different education and training pathways may influence future choices.
Parents and carers can support students by asking questions, exploring careers together and encouraging them to consider the full range of pathways, including A Levels, vocational and technical education, apprenticeships, further education and higher education.
For further support or information about Labour Market Information and the Neston High School Careers Programme, please contact the Careers Team.
