The State of Employment in the South Westsubmitted on 26 August 2025
The South West of England: a land of rolling hills, fresh air- and the best jobs? Whether you are an employer in the South West looking at the competition or someone who is looking for work in the district, here is everything that you need to know about the South West of England and the state of its employment.
What Does Employment Look Like in the South West?
If you are looking to work or set up a business in the UK, you might be interested to know that the South West has one of the strongest job markets outside of London. In fact, many people prefer to work here rather than in the capital, and you can still commute to the capital if you would like to. The job satisfaction levels are high, and many people are able to find a variety of jobs that are perfect for them. Elsewhere, there are also a great number of jobs in the East Midlands and the North West.
However, if you are looking for the best pay in the UK, the South West may not be the best option for you. In recent years, it is one of the only areas to see a decrease in pay, and it is nowhere near the South West when it comes to earnings and disposable income.
Whether the job is high-paying or not, though, unemployment is incredibly low in the South West and is far below the UK average, with 79.9% of people over 18 in the area being in employment, so not everything is miserable for those working in the South West.
What Are The Top Jobs in the South West?
In terms of the types of jobs available, there are many positions in healthcare and teaching, most of which pay incredibly well and are fulfilling for those who hold them.
The highest-paying jobs available include technical consultants, marketing heads, and data analysts, all of which require extensive experience and specific skills and qualifications to apply for.
If you are looking for somewhere to live in the South West that will give you easy access to these jobs, you should consider heading to locales such as Bristol, Bath, and Exeter, the latter three of which are hubs of employment in the area.
How Does This Compare With the Rest of the UK?
In the entirety of the UK, the job market is starting to cool off after a boom in recent months, and there are fears about a weakening job market as a whole. The general unemployment rate in 4.7%, with employment being at its worst in London, and most people take just under 4 months to find the perfect job for them. This could be because there is no role that matches their skill set, or it could be because they do not know where to look for the best roles.
How Can You Find Great Employees in the South West?
It can be challenging to find the employees you are looking for in the Southwest, especially since there is intense competition in a robust job market. To avoid a lengthy and excruciating recruitment process, you should consider speaking to a HR company, such as The HR Dept, which can point you in the right direction, help you to create stunning job adverts, and choose the correct place to post them.
They will also allow you to establish great employee benefits, as well as boost employee satisfaction levels, and get your payroll right each time. HR companies can additionally allow you to keep track of changing employment laws, which you might otherwise fall foul of.
You can also find incredible employees by ensuring that you create a great atmosphere in your firm and present a friendly and welcoming presence at any interviews you hold. This can attract people with the best skills to work with you over other brands and can encourage them to put more effort into their job applications.
Not only this, but you may also be able to find excellent employees in the Southwest by working with local universities and colleges. This will enable you to attract individuals with the right skills and qualifications as soon as they complete their education. This can be a great way to introduce new ideas and modern theories into your business, and is especially important if you are increasingly relying on technology within your company. This means that there is always a way, besides an excellent job advert and recruitment process, to beckon the very best to you.
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