UK Job Market Guide: jobs in demand and skills shortages
Explore official UK job market data, skills shortage evidence and course areas that may help you take the next step — whether you want a better job, are changing career, or are not sure what to study.
A course cannot guarantee a job. This guide uses official data to help you make a more informed choice.
- Official data sources
- Plain-English guide
- Course eligibility next step
UK job market right now
705,000
Current vacancies
−28,000
Change on the quarter
2.5
Unemployed people per vacancy
Sectors showing demand
- Health and social care
- Retail and customer service
- Professional services
- Hospitality
- Manufacturing
ONS data · Feb-Apr 2026
In short
What jobs are in demand in the UK — and what course should you choose?
Some UK sectors consistently advertise more roles and report more difficulty finding people with the right skills. Official data suggests health and social care, hospitality, professional services and admin and business support are among the larger sources of vacancies, while employers report skills shortages across many sectors.
This Job Market Guide turns that data into plain English. It can help you explore which sectors show demand, understand where employers report skills shortages, and see which course areas may help you take a practical next step. A course cannot guarantee a job, and funded course availability depends on your circumstances and provider confirmation.
If you already have a sector in mind, you can browse course areas, read our learning guides, or check if you could get a funded course.
Snapshot
UK job market snapshot
Current vacancies
705,000
Total vacancies across the UK economy.
Feb-Apr 2026
Change on the quarter
−28,000
▼ -3.9% on the quarter
Change in total vacancies compared with the previous quarter.
Feb-Apr 2026
Unemployed people per vacancy
2.5
How many unemployed people there are for each vacancy, on average.
Dec-Feb 2026
Unemployment
1,780,000
Estimated number of unemployed people in the UK.
Dec-Feb 2026
Total workforce jobs
36,557,000
Total jobs in the UK economy (employee, self-employment, HM Forces and trainees).
Sep 2025
Best sectors to explore
Best sectors to explore
Health and social care
Human health and social work activities
126,000
vacancies (latest ONS period)
Health and social care shows around 126,000 vacancies in the latest ONS period. Demand has eased over the past year but the sector remains one of the larger sources of vacancies.
Example jobs
Care worker · Support worker · Healthcare assistant · Care administrator
Related course areas
- Health and social care
- Mental health awareness
- Safeguarding
- Customer service
Retail and customer service
Wholesale and retail trade; repair of motor vehicles
84,000
vacancies (latest ONS period)
Retail and customer service shows around 84,000 vacancies in the latest ONS period. Demand has eased over the past year but the sector remains one of the larger sources of vacancies.
Example jobs
Customer service advisor · Retail assistant · Sales support · Team leader
Related course areas
- Customer service
- Retail skills
- Team leading
- Digital skills
Professional services
Professional, scientific and technical activities
71,000
vacancies (latest ONS period)
Professional services shows around 71,000 vacancies in the latest ONS period. Demand has eased over the past year but the sector remains one of the larger sources of vacancies.
Example jobs
Business support officer · Marketing assistant · Project coordinator · Bookkeeper
Related course areas
- Business and management
- Project management
- Bookkeeping and accounts
- Digital marketing
Hospitality
Accommodation and food service activities
69,000
vacancies (latest ONS period)
Hospitality shows around 69,000 vacancies in the latest ONS period. Demand has eased over the past year but the sector remains one of the larger sources of vacancies.
Example jobs
Hospitality team member · Catering assistant · Barista · Front of house
Related course areas
- Hospitality and catering
- Food safety
- Customer service
- Team leading
Manufacturing
Manufacturing
51,000
vacancies (latest ONS period)
Manufacturing shows around 51,000 vacancies in the latest ONS period, broadly stable compared with a year ago.
Example jobs
Production operative · Quality control assistant · Warehouse operative · Maintenance support
Related course areas
- Manufacturing and engineering
- Lean and quality
- Health and safety
- Digital manufacturing
Admin and business support
Administrative and support service activities
49,000
vacancies (latest ONS period)
Admin and business support shows around 49,000 vacancies in the latest ONS period, broadly stable compared with a year ago.
Example jobs
Administrator · Receptionist · Data entry clerk · Office coordinator
Related course areas
- Business administration
- IT and computer skills
- Customer service
- Bookkeeping
Education and childcare
Education
48,000
vacancies (latest ONS period)
Education and childcare shows around 48,000 vacancies in the latest ONS period, broadly stable compared with a year ago.
Example jobs
Teaching assistant · Early years practitioner · Learning support · Nursery assistant
Related course areas
- Supporting teaching and learning
- Early years and childcare
- Safeguarding
- SEN awareness
Digital and technology
Information and communication
39,000
vacancies (latest ONS period)
Digital and technology shows around 39,000 vacancies in the latest ONS period, up compared with a year ago — a sign of recent vacancy growth.
Example jobs
IT support technician · Junior data analyst · Digital marketing assistant · Software tester
Related course areas
- Digital skills
- Data analysis
- Cyber security awareness
- Coding fundamentals
Trends
What’s trending?
Sectors where vacancies have risen compared with a year ago.
- Other services+36.4% year on year
- Digital and technology+8.3% year on year
Regions
Large job sectors by region
Selected region
London
6,409,000
total workforce jobs
Largest sectors here
- Professional services940k jobs · 15%
- Business and management
- Project management
- Bookkeeping and accounts
- Health and social care698k jobs · 11%
- Health and social care
- Mental health awareness
- Safeguarding
- Retail and customer service638k jobs · 10%
- Customer service
- Retail skills
- Team leading
- Digital and technology619k jobs · 10%
- Digital skills
- Data analysis
- Cyber security awareness
- Admin and business support594k jobs · 9%
- Business administration
- IT and computer skills
- Customer service
Big local sectors can be a good place to start when thinking about courses. Check course eligibility to see what may be available to you.
See where a funded course could take you
Found a sector that interests you? Check whether you may be able to access a funded course in a few minutes. Funding and course availability depend on your circumstances and provider confirmation.
Take a step
Course areas linked to job demand
Health and social care
Example jobs
Care worker · Support worker · Healthcare assistant · Care administrator
Course areas
- Health and social care
- Mental health awareness
- Safeguarding
- Customer service
Who it may suit
- May suit people who want practical, people-facing work
- Often has roles open to people newer to the sector
Admin and business support
Example jobs
Administrator · Receptionist · Data entry clerk · Office coordinator
Course areas
- Business administration
- IT and computer skills
- Customer service
- Bookkeeping
Who it may suit
- May suit organised people who like structured tasks
- Office skills transfer across many employers
Construction
Example jobs
Construction operative · Site administrator · Trades labourer · Estimating assistant
Course areas
- Construction skills
- Health and safety (CSCS)
- Sustainability and retrofit
- Project support
Who it may suit
- May suit practical, hands-on people
- A growing focus on green building and retrofit skills
Retail and customer service
Example jobs
Customer service advisor · Retail assistant · Sales support · Team leader
Course areas
- Customer service
- Retail skills
- Team leading
- Digital skills
Who it may suit
- May suit people who enjoy working with the public
- Transferable skills that apply across many sectors
Education and childcare
Example jobs
Teaching assistant · Early years practitioner · Learning support · Nursery assistant
Course areas
- Supporting teaching and learning
- Early years and childcare
- Safeguarding
- SEN awareness
Who it may suit
- May suit patient people who enjoy supporting others
- Often a route for people returning to work
Digital and technology
Example jobs
IT support technician · Junior data analyst · Digital marketing assistant · Software tester
Course areas
- Digital skills
- Data analysis
- Cyber security awareness
- Coding fundamentals
Who it may suit
- May suit people who enjoy problem-solving and tech
- Many roles value demonstrable skills as well as experience
Transport, logistics and warehousing
Example jobs
Warehouse operative · Logistics coordinator · Delivery driver · Stock controller
Course areas
- Warehousing and logistics
- Supply chain
- Customer service
- Health and safety
Who it may suit
- May suit people who like active, organised work
- Roles across many locations and shift patterns
Professional services
Example jobs
Business support officer · Marketing assistant · Project coordinator · Bookkeeper
Course areas
- Business and management
- Project management
- Bookkeeping and accounts
- Digital marketing
Who it may suit
- May suit people who like analytical, office-based work
- Skills transfer across many professional roles
Hospitality
Example jobs
Hospitality team member · Catering assistant · Barista · Front of house
Course areas
- Hospitality and catering
- Food safety
- Customer service
- Team leading
Who it may suit
- May suit people who like fast-paced, sociable work
- Entry routes are common across the sector
Manufacturing
Example jobs
Production operative · Quality control assistant · Warehouse operative · Maintenance support
Course areas
- Manufacturing and engineering
- Lean and quality
- Health and safety
- Digital manufacturing
Who it may suit
- May suit people who like making and building things
- Increasing demand for digital and automation skills
Financial services
Example jobs
Accounts assistant · Customer support · Payroll administrator · Compliance support
Course areas
- Bookkeeping and accounts
- Business administration
- Customer service
- Data skills
Who it may suit
- May suit detail-focused, numerate people
- Foundational finance skills are widely valued
Not sure which course is right for you?
Answer a few quick questions and we’ll help you understand which funded course areas you may be able to access.
Funding and course availability depend on your circumstances and provider confirmation.
Skills evidence
Where employers report skills shortages
Vacancy
An open role an employer is trying to fill.
Hard-to-fill vacancy
A vacancy an employer is struggling to fill.
Skill-shortage vacancy
A hard-to-fill vacancy caused by applicants lacking the required skills, qualifications or experience.
Skills gap
When existing employees are judged by their employer not to be fully proficient in their role.
What employers reported in 2024
Headline findings from the Employer Skills Survey 2024. They show how common vacancies, skill shortages and training are across employers — useful context, not a guarantee about any role.
17%
Sites with at least one vacancy
Around 17% of employer sites reported having at least one vacancy in 2024.
6%
Sites with a skill-shortage vacancy
About 6% of sites had at least one skill-shortage vacancy — a role left hard to fill because applicants lacked the right skills, qualifications or experience.
27%
Vacancies that were skill-shortage vacancies
More than a quarter of all reported vacancies were skill-shortage vacancies, suggesting recruitment difficulties were often skills-related.
12%
Sites with at least one skills gap
Around 12% of sites reported a skills gap, meaning some existing staff were not seen as fully proficient.
4.0%
Workforce with a skills gap
Employers judged about 4.0% of the workforce as not fully proficient in their current role.
59%
Employers that funded or arranged training
Most employers (59%) had funded or arranged training for staff in the previous 12 months — a reminder that ongoing learning is normal across the economy.
Skill shortages affect some sectors more than others. If a sector interests you, a relevant course may help you build the skills employers say they need. Check funded course eligibility.
Future skills
Priority sectors and future skills
Health and adult social care
Identified by Skills England as a priority sector. An ageing population and ongoing recruitment pressure mean the sector is expected to need a large, skilled workforce for years to come.
Example job areas
Adult social care · Healthcare support · Mental health support · Care coordination
Useful skills
- Person-centred care
- Safeguarding
- Communication
- Digital record-keeping
Construction
A Skills England priority sector linked to housing and infrastructure goals. Skills England evidence suggests demand for trades, retrofit and green building skills.
Example job areas
Site trades · Retrofit and insulation · Site management support · Estimating
Useful skills
- Trade skills
- Health and safety (CSCS)
- Retrofit and sustainability
- Project support
Digital and technologies
A Skills England priority sector. Digital skills are needed across the whole economy, not just in tech companies, which may make them worth exploring for many learners.
Example job areas
IT support · Data analysis · Cyber security · Software development
Useful skills
- Digital fundamentals
- Data literacy
- Cyber awareness
- Problem-solving
Professional and business services
A large Skills England priority area covering many office-based and advisory roles. Could support future skills needs in management, finance and analysis.
Example job areas
Business support · Project coordination · Marketing · Finance support
Useful skills
- Business administration
- Project management
- Communication
- Digital tools
Clean energy
Identified as a priority sector linked to the UK's energy transition. Skills England evidence suggests growing, longer-term skills needs as clean energy expands.
Example job areas
Renewables installation · Energy efficiency · Grid and network roles · Field technical roles
Useful skills
- Electrical fundamentals
- Renewables knowledge
- Health and safety
- Technical maintenance
Advanced manufacturing
A Skills England priority sector. As manufacturing becomes more digital and automated, employers may need a mix of practical and technical skills.
Example job areas
Production and assembly · Quality and inspection · Maintenance · Digital manufacturing
Useful skills
- Engineering fundamentals
- Quality and lean
- Automation awareness
- Health and safety
Life sciences
A Skills England priority sector spanning research, pharmaceuticals and medical technology. Often needs technical and laboratory skills alongside transferable workplace skills.
Example job areas
Laboratory support · Manufacturing and quality · Clinical support · Technical roles
Useful skills
- Laboratory awareness
- Quality processes
- Attention to detail
- Digital and data skills
Creative industries
A Skills England priority sector covering media, design and culture. May suit people with creative and digital interests, alongside business skills.
Example job areas
Digital media · Design · Production support · Marketing and content
Useful skills
- Creative and digital media
- Content production
- Communication
- Project support
Financial services
A Skills England priority sector. Foundational finance, data and customer skills are widely used and may transfer across many employers.
Example job areas
Accounts and payroll · Customer support · Compliance support · Data roles
Useful skills
- Bookkeeping and accounts
- Data literacy
- Customer service
- Attention to detail
Defence
Identified as a priority sector with a wide range of technical, engineering and support roles. Could support future skills needs across engineering and digital.
Example job areas
Engineering and technical · Logistics · Cyber and digital · Project and support roles
Useful skills
- Engineering fundamentals
- Digital and cyber awareness
- Logistics
- Health and safety
Ready to take a practical next step?
If a sector or course area stood out, check whether you could access a funded course. It only takes a few minutes, and a course cannot guarantee a job — funding depends on your circumstances and provider confirmation.
More context
More job market context
FAQ
Common questions about jobs in demand
Transparency
Sources and how to read this guide
Where the data comes from
- ONS vacancy and workforce jobs datasets — vacancies by industry and size, unemployment, and workforce jobs by region and industry.
- Employer Skills Survey 2024 — employer-reported evidence on hard-to-fill vacancies, skill-shortage vacancies and skills gaps.
- Skills England Annual Skills Report and Sectoral Skills Needs Assessments 2026 — priority sectors and longer-term skills needs.
How to read this guide
- Vacancy data shows where employers are hiring — it is not a guarantee of a job for any individual.
- Industries are broad groups and do not identify exact job roles.
- Regional workforce jobs show where sectors are large, not the number of current vacancies in a region.
- Skills shortage evidence is employer-reported survey evidence, not live vacancy data.
- Course availability and funding eligibility must be confirmed by providers.
- Learning Gateway does not make final funding decisions.
Dataset details
VACS01 / VACS02 / VACS03 / JOBS01 (ONS)
Office for National Statistics
Period: Feb-Apr 2026
VACS02: Vacancies by industry
Office for National Statistics
Period: Feb-Apr 2026
VACS02: Vacancies by industry (ratios)
Office for National Statistics
Period: Feb-Apr 2026
JOBS05: Workforce jobs by region and industry
Office for National Statistics
Period: Sep 2025
VACS03: Vacancies by size of business
Office for National Statistics
Period: Feb-Apr 2026
Employer Skills Survey 2024
Department for Education
Period: 2024
Skills England Annual Skills Report and Sectoral Skills Needs Assessments 2026
Skills England
Period: 2026
JOBS03: Employee jobs by industry and sex
Office for National Statistics
Period: Sep 2025
Looking for funded courses? Browse course areas or read our learning guides.