Labour Market Disconnect: High Level of Unemployment in the Region and a Record Number of Vacancies for Jobs and Apprenticeships

Nationally and internationally, there is a disconnect between high levels of unemployment and a record numbers of vacancies for both jobs and apprenticeships. The current disconnect is based on the number and types of jobs on offer on the one hand, and the available workforce on the other hand. This current labour market unbalance is expected to ease over the next 12 to 24 months, although it is not expected to disappear altogether for some time. Whilst this problem isn’t unique to the UK, it is likely that Brexit has exacerbated some of the problems. There is a need to understand the disconnect in the labour market between high levels of unemployment and a record numbers of vacancies for both jobs and apprenticeships. Reasons for this are not always clear; rather they are complex and interrelated. This report seeks to set out to highlight issues observed and discussed by various stakeholders. In putting together this report we encountered challenges around the availability of data and the nature of the evidence base. As a result, some issues identified are based on insights from a range of sources.