Are education and childcare jobs in demand in the UK?

Official ONS data shows education and childcare as a sizeable sector with recent vacancy growth in the latest period. Demand varies by region, employer and time period, so vacancy data is useful context rather than a guarantee.

Can adults retrain for childcare or teaching support?

Many adults explore childcare, early years or teaching assistant courses when returning to work or changing direction. Employers and providers set entry requirements, and safeguarding checks may apply for roles with children.

What courses relate to education and childcare?

Course areas often linked to the sector include supporting teaching and learning, early years and childcare, safeguarding and SEN awareness. Providers confirm course availability, funding and eligibility.

← Job Market Guide

Education and childcare jobs in demand

Education and childcare covers schools, nurseries, early years settings and learning support. The latest ONS data shows vacancy growth in this broad sector, and the sector has clear links to existing childcare and teaching assistant course guides.

This page shows what the latest official data says about the sector. It can help you explore whether an early years, childcare or teaching support course could be a practical next step. Demand varies by region, employer and time period, and no course can guarantee a job.

Check if you could get a funded course

Data updated 6 July 2026. Latest vacancy period: Mar-May 2026.

Quick answer

Is education and childcare in demand right now?

In the latest official data (Mar-May 2026), education and childcare recorded around 48,000 UK vacancies (+9.1% on a year ago). The sector shows around 1.7 vacancies per 100 employee jobs. Demand varies by region, employer and time period, and no course can guarantee a job.

Demand snapshot

What the latest vacancy data shows

Education and childcare shows around 48,000 vacancies in the latest ONS period, up compared with a year ago, which is a sign of recent vacancy growth.

UK vacancies

48,000

Mar-May 2026

Change on a year ago

+9.1%

Growing demand

Vacancy pressure

1.7

vacancies per 100 employee jobs

Recent trend

last 8 quarters, thousands

Source: Office for National Statistics, VACS02: Vacancies by industry (Mar-May 2026). Industry-level vacancy data does not identify exact job roles, and a vacancy count does not guarantee a job is available in your local area.

Regions

Where education and childcare employs the most people

Regional figures show workforce jobs by sector: where the sector has a strong employment presence relative to the size of each region or nation. This is useful context, but it is not the same as live vacancies near you.

North East119k jobs, 9.6% of jobs there
South East476k jobs, 9.4% of jobs there
Wales136k jobs, 9.3% of jobs there
Northern Ireland90k jobs, 9.3% of jobs there
West Midlands273k jobs, 9.1% of jobs there
South West272k jobs, 8.8% of jobs there

Want to compare sectors in your region? Use the region and sector explorer on the Job Market Guide.

Source: Office for National Statistics, JOBS05: Workforce jobs by region and industry (Mar 2026). Regional workforce jobs are not the same as regional vacancies.

Take a step

Course areas that may help you build relevant skills

A course can help you build knowledge, confidence and evidence of recent learning. It cannot guarantee a job, and providers confirm course availability, funding and eligibility.

Course areas

Supporting teaching and learning
Early years and childcare
Safeguarding
SEN awareness

Example jobs

Teaching assistant · Early years practitioner · Learning support · Nursery assistant

Who it may suit

May suit patient people who enjoy supporting others
Often a route for people returning to work

Useful next steps

Funding and course availability depend on your circumstances and provider confirmation.

Interested in education and childcare?

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, and a course cannot guarantee a job.

Check if you could get a funded course

FAQ

Common questions about jobs in demand

Transparency

Sources for this page

This page uses official statistics and cautious editorial mapping. Data describes patterns, not guarantees.

VACS02: Vacancies by industry (Office for National Statistics, Mar-May 2026): national vacancy levels and change.
JOBS05: Workforce jobs by region and industry (Office for National Statistics, Mar 2026): workforce jobs by region, not live vacancies.
Skills England Annual Skills Report and Sectoral Skills Needs Assessments 2026 (Skills England): longer-term priority sector context.

Data updated 6 July 2026. Latest vacancy period: Mar-May 2026. Full methodology, dataset details and a glossary are on the Job Market Guide. Learning Gateway is not a government body, college or training provider, does not provide regulated careers advice, and does not make final funding decisions.