Plymouth is a city situated on the south coast of Devon, with a population of approximately 250,000 people. It is the 27th most populous built up area in England and Wales, and it homes the ninth largest University in the UK, The University of Plymouth. Plymouth has good transport links, with its rail line running to other major cities in the UK, including Bristol, Wales and Birmingham.
The current unemployment rate is high in Plymouth, with the amount of people claiming Job Seekers Allowance increasing by 285 to 4,600 in January 2014 compared to the previous month. Whilst there are signs of the economy improving, the unemployment levels in Plymouth are worrying with a current rate of 7.3%.
These unemployment levels are much higher than areas that are surrounding Plymouth, with Devon and Somerset both having levels of 6.5%. An analysis of the city’s labour market reveals a high degree of hidden unemployment, with many individuals seeking work but not claiming Job Seekers Allowance.
There has also been a large increase in those working part-time, with there not being enough full-time jobs to cope with the demand. There are few large employers in the Plymouth area, with 99.5% of businesses being small and medium sized enterprises hiring fewer than 250 people. This has meant individuals looking for work may need to look outside of Plymouth for more job opportunities as there aren’t enough in the city for the high proportion of individuals out of work.
The University of Plymouth is one of the largest Universities in the country, hosting approximately 30,000 students with a student mix of 89% undergraduate and 11% postgraduate. There are great opportunities within the University to take on placements and work-based learning through their Skills plus Policy, ensuring students are well-prepared for employment when they leave University. Studies have shown that 92% of graduates are in work or further study six months after they Graduate.