Some of our online forms will be unavailable from 5pm on Monday 14th September. The system will be back online by 9am on Thursday 17th September. We apologise for any inconvenience.
Potential employers for those who are available for work (the local labour market)
What is a labour market?
A labour market matches potential employers – the demand for labour – with people who are available for work – the labour supply. Labour markets work at a local, regional, national and international level and show how economies operate.
Employment sectors
Careers are generally grouped into similar types, called sectors.
Career sectors
Sector
Areas of jobs/careers in this sector
Retail and commercial enterprise
Retail
Fashion
Hospitality and catering
Hairdressing
Beauty therapy
Facilities management
Environmental services
Warehousing
Logistics
Leisure, travel and tourism
Leisure and sports
Travel services
Aviation operations
Cabin crew
Business, administration and law
Accounting and bookkeeping
Business and administration
Customer service
Marketing
Sales
Providing financial services
Information and communication technology
ICT and telecoms
Local authority
NHS
Education
Large private sector companies
Health, public services and care
Health and social care
Children and youth work
Healthcare support
Dental nursing
Pharmacy services and technicians
Optical retail
Housing support
Fire services
Libraries and records management
Construction planning and the built environment
Construction
Plumbing
Surveying
Electrical and electronic servicing
Heating
Ventilation
Air conditioning and refrigeration
Engineering and manufacturing technologies
Engineering and technology
Vehicle maintenance and repair
Bus and coach engineering and maintenance
Bus and coach driving
Rail transport engineering and services
Laboratory technicians
Marine industry
Glass industry
Food manufacture
Furniture and interiors
Art, media and publishing
Design
Creative and digital media
Photo imaging
Public, private or voluntary?
Sectors can also refer to whether a career or job is in the private, public or voluntary sector.
The private sector refers to privately owned businesses, either by a person or shareholders. Public sector jobs are those in the government or its agencies, while the voluntary sector refers to voluntary organisations (also known as charities) that are generally non-profit making.