Job Market

You only have to look around Barnsley town centre or talk to your family and friends to find out that jobs play an important part in people's lives.  Choosing the right job can be a difficult task, as you might not be sure what to do and how to gain the right skills.   It's a good idea to find out some information about what job areas are increasing in numbers and get some facts about jobs in Barnsley and other areas.

Times are changing

Barnsley has undergone some major transformations since the decline of jobs in coal and steel manufacturing. Think about the number of new cars on our roads, the modern offices and the new leisure activities for us to do.

As traditional jobs have declined, new jobs have emerged and there is now plenty of opportunity for young people to develop skills in growing job areas. These include:

- Creative and Digital Industry: Creating websites, graphic design, video production, game design, computer networking.

- Hi-Tech Manufacturing: A clean working environment where people use high-tech machines to make all sorts of products.

- Bioscience: DNA testing, developing new drugs, discovering cures through research, breaking down food substances.

- Health and Social Care: Within the National Health Service (NHS) there are over 70 different professions including doctors, radiographers and pharmacists.

- Construction: New houses, offices and retail shops require plumbers, joiners, project managers, bricklayers and electricians.

- Retail: Large and small shopping outlets are being created for the public with increased shopping hours.  There are a whole range of opportunities including sales, buying and fashion design.

- Catering, Hotels, Leisure and Tourism: People have more leisure time and therefore dine out more, keep fit and visit tourist attractions.  This has created jobs such as chefs, personal trainers and event organisers.

- Business and Finance: All businesses need support.  There are many jobs emerging such as call centre workers, clerical jobs and accounts support.

- Transport and logistics: This is a growing industry that covers goods haulage.  Transporting items from A to B using efficient methods.

Further information

You can find out more about jobs trends and the types of jobs that are being created by downloading some helpful booklets or visiting the websites below.

Booklets

It's a Fact

'It's a Fact' booklet is full of useful information about the labour market.  Find out whether the myths about certain jobs are true.

Download It's a Fact  

Moving on 2006

Find out about local school leaver destinations, what young people went on to do locally.

Download Moving on 2006

Websites

Learning Pays
 
Discover the new growth industries, read about people who work in them and discover the possibilities available to you.

Surprising South Yorkshire
 
Find out all about the investments taking place in Barnsley and the rest of South Yorkshire.

Digital Yorkshire
Bioscience Yorkshire
Food Yorkshire
Advanced Engineering and Metals
Chemicals 

Find out about specific industries that have their own website to help you find out more about them.

This page was last updated on the 15th of April 2008 and is scheduled for review on or before the 15th of April 2009