Resources & Get Involved

Labour Market Information (LMI)

Kingston upon Thames LMI Snapshot

Local Labour Market Information (LMI) — Kingston upon Thames

Southborough High School uses up-to-date LMI to help students make informed career choices. Below is the key information about the local job market and growth sectors.

Employment Overview

• Employment rate (16–64 years): ~81.4%

• Economically active (16+): 84.4%

• Unemployment (modelled 16–64): ~3.8%

• Claimant count (16–64): ~2.9%

• Economic inactivity (16–64): ~15.9%

Qualifications

• ~68% of residents have Level 4+ qualifications (degree or equivalent)

• ~88% have at least Level 2 (GCSE equivalent)

• Only ~4% have no qualifications

Median Earnings

• Full-time weekly pay: £844/week

• Hourly median wage: £22.82/hour

Major Sectors & Growth Industries

• Health & Social Care: ~18%

• Retail: ~17%

• Education: ~12%

• Growth areas: Digital/tech, green economy, management consulting, hospitality

• Major employers: NHS, Kingston University, Unilever

Youth Employment & Trends

• Youth employment (16–25) is less stable, with increased precarity post-Covid and post-Brexit.

• Strong local qualifications mean competition for graduate roles is high.

• Wage levels are relatively high but cost of living (housing, transport) is also high.

Implications for Students

1. Curriculum & guidance alignment: Focus on Health & Social Care, Education, Retail, Digital/Tech.

2. Green economy careers: Include sustainability and low-carbon jobs in guidance.

3. Financial awareness: Teach students about local wages and cost of living.

4. Youth employment support: Emphasize employer engagement, mentorship, and internships for 16–25-year-olds.

5. Qualification tailoring: Provide stretch opportunities for high-achieving students and vocational pathways for others.

6. Local destinations tracking: Share HE/apprenticeship/employment trends with students and parents.

This snapshot is updated regularly to ensure students and parents have the most relevant, local labour market information for career planning.

Sources: ONS, Nomis, Kingston upon Thames Economic Development Strategy 2024–2028.

LMI Resources

Key Websites for Labour Market Information (LMI)

To support career planning, students and parents can access the following authoritative sources for local and regional labour market data:

1. Nomis (Official Labour Market Statistics)

   • https://www.nomisweb.co.uk

   • Local employment/unemployment, economic activity, qualifications, earnings, and industry breakdowns.

2. Office for National Statistics (ONS) — Labour Market Data

   • https://www.ons.gov.uk/employmentandlabourmarket

   • UK and regional employment reports, claimant counts, workforce demographics.

3. London Datastore (GLA)

   • https://data.london.gov.uk

   • Interactive datasets for London boroughs, including Kingston, on jobs, sectors, earnings, and youth employment.

4. Kingston upon Thames Economic Development / Council Strategy

   • https://www.kingston.gov.uk/business-and-licensing/local-economy-and-investment

   • Council reports on growth sectors, employment initiatives, and local business support.

5. Careerpilot (England)

   • https://www.careerpilot.org.uk

   • Student-friendly LMI including local sectors, salaries, and education-to-employment pathways.

6. National Careers Service

   • https://nationalcareers.service.gov.uk

   • Sector insights, skills in demand, job descriptions, and local labour market summaries.

7. South London Partnership / Local Enterprise Partnership

   • https://www.london.gov.uk/what-we-do/economic-development

   • Reports on skills, employment, and growth sectors across South London, including Kingston.

These resources are updated regularly and can be used by students, parents, and staff to inform career choices and pathway planning.