New research shows more training is needed to help local workers fill gaps in the South East economy arising from the cap on non-EU workers.

Figures show that many software, nursing and care jobs in the South East are filled by non-EU workers.

A series of 7 reports by LEP area identifies the gaps likely to develop and skills training needed to help local workers fill jobs in future.

Since November 2008 a total of 31,266 non-EU workers have been employed in companies based across 7 LEP areas with a South East footprint. The top 20 jobs currently filled by non-EU workers are:

1. Software professionals  10,065 people
2. Nurses    2,093 people
3. Care assistants/home carers 1,857 people
4. ICT managers   962 people
5. Musicians   908 people
6. Sports & fitness   855 people
7. Researchers    788 people
8. IT user support technicians 737 people
9. Chefs/Cooks   665 people
10. Marketing & sales managers 652 people
11. IT strategy/planning   635 people
12. Medical practitioners  614 people
13. Secondary education teachers 515 people
14. IT operations technicians 393 people
15. Scientific researchers   349 people
16. Actors/entertainers  343 people
17. Engineering professionals  336 people
18. Artists    330 people
19. Directors/chief executives  325 people
20. Sports players   249 people

To help local workers fill gaps in the labour market, there needs be an increase in training places in key areas such as:

• higher level provision for software professionals and engineers
• intermediate and higher level provision in marketing & sales
• provision for chefs/cooks.

Read full copies of all 7 local reports.

The research was co-funded by the South East Strategic Partnership for Migration (SESPM) working with SEEDA. SESPM is hosted by SEEC and all SESPM work is funded by the UK Borders Agency.