– Auditing is one of the most sought-after skills in the Greater Manchester jobs market – according to new skills and employment trends report
– Online learning provider, The Skills Network, is calling for those impacted by ending of furlough scheme in March 2021, to refocus training needs
A skills and employment trends report* published today (11 November) has highlighted an auditing skills gap in the Greater Manchester jobs market – as the most sought-after technical skills by employers in the region is revealed.
With the ending of the furlough scheme in March 2021, and recent data** suggesting 19% of furloughed 18 to 24year olds were unemployed in September – a new report by online learning provider, The Skills Network, in partnership with Emsi, has highlighted auditing, business development and nursing, as three of the most sought-after skills in Greater Manchester during the COVID-19 period.
The new report, which analysed 1.5 million UK job adverts in between March and September 2020, has also highlighted a 21% increase in mental health related skills being listed – and it is now one of the most in demand skills in the country.
The Skills Network is calling for those impacted by the ending of the furlough scheme to refocus their training needs on one of the top 10 sought-after skills. Speaking about the report, Mark Dawe, Chief Executive from The Skills Network, said: “Auditing is the most in demand skill in Greater Manchester – having been posted in 9,516 job adverts – followed by business development (8,452) and nursing (8,226).
“Employers have long required mental health-related skills for roles in health, care and education, but the ability to identify and address mental illness has become desirable for most employers during the COVID pandemic, having been posted 7,134 job adverts in the region. In 2019, mental health skills were mentioned as a key requirement for applicants within 197,000 adverts in the UK job market– and it’s anticipated the 2020 figure will be double this by the end of the year.
“With unemployment figures rising and the government furlough scheme coming to an end, our report provides job seekers with the knowledge of the most in-demand skills in the job market, right now – and the insight into the key areas to focus any training. To assist those looking to discover the most in-demand skills in their local area, we have developed an online app, which will provide a personalised list of the top 15 sought-after skills and roles available in your postcode area.
“At The Skills Network, we offer distance learning, as a way of learning remotely and achieving new qualifications without attending lessons or lectures in a classroom. We’d urge anyone currently looking for their next role to consider online learning as a way to bolster their CV – and to tap-into the knowledge of the skills that employers are recruiting for, right now!”
To access the full skills and employment trends report, or to review the online courses available – please visit www.theskillsnetwork.com.
