The fastest employment growth in the east of England is in professional, scientific and technical sectors, according to employment minister Priti Patel, with an extra 34,000 jobs logged in 2015.
Ms Patel said: 'We ended 2015 on a real high. Employment is at a record high with 31.3 million people now in work, while unemployment is at its lowest since 2008, and wages are continuing to grow.
'By helping people into work it means more families, up and down Britain, are enjoying the security of a regular pay cheque and benefiting from our growing economy.'
The government's six sectors to watch in 2016 are:
• TECH/SCIENTIFIC
Jobs in the science and tech industry are up 125,000 in the past year, the largest annual rise of any industry. To find out more about jobs in this field, visit the National Careers Service website www.nationalcareersservice.direct.gov.uk and search 'science and research' for more hints and tips.
• HOSPITALITY
The hospitality industry is on the up, with 80,000 more jobs than there were a year ago — and the government is urging people not to dismiss the jobs as 'just for teenagers and students'. Ms Patel praised café, pub and hotel workers as the 'best face of Britain'.
• CONSTRUCTION
There are an anticipated 111,000 more jobs in construction than in 2014, and regular pay is claimed to have risen by 6.3pc, more than any other sector. The government is ploughing billions into the National Infrastructure Pipeline and supporting the creation of three million apprenticeships.
• ENTERTAINMENT
There are 21,000 more posts in the sector now than there were this time last year – and a series of new openings will boost this figure in 2016. This includes the launch of a new £40 million Discover England fund to support tourism across the UK, which will lead to more job opportunities.
• TRANSPORT
With the biggest road improvement programme since the 1970s and the largest programme of rail investment since Victorian times, the number of jobs available in the industry is increasing. At least 55,000 skilled workers will be needed in the transport industry by 2020. The government aims to create 30,000 apprenticeships in the rail and road sectors in the next five years.
• EDUCATION
Jobs in the education sector increased by 46,000 in 2015 — and aspiring teachers could receive a tax-free bursary or scholarship of up to £30,000 from the government.
For more information, visit www.getintoteaching.education.gov.uk
Search hundreds of local job listings at jobs24.co.uk
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