skills
economy
Vacancies and skills gaps in the South West of England by sector
This data insight describes recruitment pressures and workforce capability gaps in the South West of England. The data are analysed by sector, bringing together indicators on hard-to-fill vacancies, skill-shortage vacancies, establishments with at least one skills gap and the proportion of employees not fully proficient.
The South West region is one of 12 International Territorial Level 1 areas (ITL1) in the UK. It comprises Gloucestershire and Wiltshire; West of England; North Somerset, Somerset and Dorset; Devon; and Cornwall and Isles of Scilly.
The indicators distinguish between external labour shortages (vacancies that cannot be filled) and internal skills gaps (existing staff requiring upskilling). The analysis is based on the Employer Skills Survey (ESS), commissioned by the Department for Education, and collected through large scale telephone interviews with employers.
13.62%
Education has the highest skill-shortage vacancy rate; more than double the all-sector average (6.20%)
15.13%
Arts and other services has the highest rate of establishments with a skills gap
9.18 pp
Difference between the highest (15.13%) and lowest (5.95%) sectors of establishments with a skills gap
9.40%
Financial services has the highest share of employees with the skills gap
Establishments in the South West with a skill-shortage vacancy (%) by industry, 2023/24
This visualisation shows the percentage of establishments reporting a skill-shortage vacancy across in the South West of England, 2023/24. The data highlight marked differences between sectors.
Education records the highest rate of skills-shortage vacancies at 13.62%, followed by construction at 10.18%, indicating recruitment challenges in these sectors. Hotels and restaurants (9.48%), and health and social work (8.72%) also report relatively high levels, above the all-sector average (6.20%).
In contrast, primary sector and utilities (1.30%), and arts and other services (2.04%) show the lowest prevalence, suggesting fewer skill shortages in these areas. Manufacturing (5.88%) and business services (5.21%) sit slightly below the overall average.
Establishments in the South West with at least one skills gap (%), by industry, 2022/23
This visualisation shows the percentage of establishments reporting at least one skills gap in the South West in 2023/24. The data reveal widespread internal workforce capability challenges.
Overall, 11.96% of establishments report a skills gap. This varies considerably by sector.
Arts and other services (15.13%), and information and communication (14.76%) record the highest proportions, followed by education (13.27%), and health and social work (13.23%).
In contrast, transport and storage (5.95%), and the primary sector and utilities (7.83%) report the lowest levels, less than half the rate seen in the highest sector.
The gap between the highest and lowest sectors is over 9 percentage points (pp), highlighting uneven workforce skill pressures.
Employees in the South West with a skills gap (%), by industry, 2022/23
This visualisation shows the percentage of employees with a skills gap in the South West in 2022/23. The data highlight variations in workforce proficiency levels.
Overall, 5.48% of employees across all sectors are reported as not fully proficient.
Financial services record the highest proportion (9.40%), followed by hotels and restaurants (8.35%), and manufacturing (7.73%), indicating higher proportions of skills deficiencies in these sectors.
In contrast, education (1.96%) and public administration (2.45%) report the lowest levels, suggesting comparatively fewer workforce capability gaps.
The gap between the highest and lowest sectors is over 7 percentage points (pp), demonstrating uneven skill pressures across industries.
