Labour Market Information (LMI)

Labour Market Information offers knowledge and understanding of how the labour market works. It is useful information to help us make sense of changing economic circumstances and can help with career decision making.

LMI tells us which industries are growing and which are declining - so this highlights where there will be more or fewer jobs, which is useful when considering your future career plans. 

LMI indicates how different industries and job roles vary across the country and by region. It shows the skills and qualifications needed, salary information, the number of vacancies and the routes to work in a particular industry - GCSEs, A levels, T levels, an apprenticeship, degree etc. LMI can also identify skills gaps - where there aren’t enough people with the right qualifications or experience to do particular jobs; this helps to forecast future demand for job types and skills. 

LMI can also help to challenge stereotypes and raise awareness that jobs are open to everyone, regardless of gender, ethnicity, disabilities and age.

Young people need accurate information about jobs, careers and study options so it is important to have access to readily interpretable information about the labour market.

Common questions include:

• how do you select a job or career of interest?

• what do people do in a particular job?

• how easy is it to find a particular kind of job

• what are the future prospects of working in that role?

• how do you obtain the qualifications and skills to find a job?

A young person entering the labour market today may be expected to work until they are in their late sixties so it is important to find a role that meets their interests and needs.

Skillsometer is a useful tool. Students can reflect on a series of statements about their own likes and dislikes, and then receive a list of jobs based on their preferences. Information is also provided on job content, pay and hours of work - which is labour market information, or LMI.

Building an awareness of different jobs, opportunities and LMI, enables people to make informed decisions about their next steps or career goals.

Once any areas or careers of interest have been narrowed down, further information about the qualifications and skills required can be found at these useful sites: 

• LMI for All Careerometer - an easy tool to compare different jobs against the UK average.

• The National Careers Service - a Government site providing careers advice and guidance together with hints, tips and information about different jobs, qualifications and courses.  

• The Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education (IATE) provides a series of occupational maps to show how different occupations are linked to a range of technical education options.

• UCAS provides information about undergraduate, post-graduate, and degree level apprenticeships.