Understanding the World of Work
As an apprentice, your training is about more than gaining a qualification – it is about building the skills, knowledge and experience needed for a successful career.
Labour Market Information (LMI) provides valuable insight into the world of work by showing where jobs are available, which industries are growing, what employers are looking for, and how much different occupations typically pay. Understanding LMI can help you make informed decisions about your career progression, future training opportunities and long-term professional goals.
At HBTC, we use labour market information to ensure our apprenticeship programmes reflect the needs of local employers across Hull, East Riding, North East Lincolnshire and the wider Humber region. By understanding current and future workforce demand, you can better position yourself for career success and identify opportunities for progression within your chosen industry.
Why is Labour Market Information Important to Apprentices?
Labour Market Information can help you:
▪️ Understand which industries are growing and creating new opportunities.
▪️ Identify the skills and behaviours employers value most.
▪️ Explore future career pathways within your sector.
▪️ Understand local salary expectations and earning potential.
▪️ Make informed decisions about further training, qualifications and professional development.
▪️ Recognise emerging industries and future employment trends.
As you progress through your apprenticeship, reviewing labour market information can help you plan your next steps, whether that is securing a permanent role, moving into management, undertaking higher-level training, or specialising within your industry.
Jump to:
➡️ Humber Labour Market
➡️ Hull Labour Market
➡️ East Yorkshire Labour Market
➡️ North East Lincolnshire Labour Market
➡️ North Lincolnshire Labour Market
The Humber Labour Market
The Humber region is home to approximately 950,000 people, with over 572,000 people of working age. The region supports around 400,000 jobs across 29,000 businesses, with approximately 76% of residents in employment.
The Humber consists of four local councils: Kingston upon Hull City Council, East Riding of Yorkshire Council, North Lincolnshire Council and North East Lincolnshire Council.
The Humber’s economy is diverse and offers opportunities across a wide range of sectors. This strong economic base creates opportunities for apprentices looking to establish long-term careers close to home.
Many apprenticeship routes align directly with these growing industries. Whether you are training in business administration, engineering, manufacturing, construction, health and social care, logistics, customer service or digital roles, there are strong employment prospects across the region.
The Humber is also recognised as a leading area for renewable energy, manufacturing and logistics, creating ongoing demand for skilled workers now and in the future.
Key Growth Areas
Priority Sectors in the Humber
▪️ Business and Retail
▪️ Chemicals
▪️ Construction
▪️ Creative and Digital
▪️ Energy
▪️ Engineering
▪️ Food and Agriculture
▪️ Health and Social Care
▪️ Manufacturing
▪️ Ports and Logistics
▪️ Public Sector
▪️ Visitor Economy
Employer’s Most Valued Skills
▪️ IT
▪️ Business
▪️ Communication
▪️ Customer Awareness
▪️ Numeracy
▪️ Literacy
▪️ Problem Solving
▪️ Teamwork
▪️ Self-Management
Median Gross Annual Full-Time Pay of Residents
Jobs in the Humber by Sector
Qualification Level of Population
The Hull Labour Market
Hull has a population of approximately 271,000 people, with around 173,000 people of working age. There are around 120,000 jobs across 8,000 employers with approximately 73% of working age residents in employment.
Hull has a diverse and growing economy, offering opportunities across a range of industries including manufacturing, engineering, healthcare, professional services, construction and the visitor economy. As one of the Humber region’s key economic centres, Hull continues to attract investment, creating new jobs and supporting workforce development.
Hull’s economy is diverse, meaning there are opportunities across many sectors. The city’s major employers and growing sectors provide strong progression routes for apprentices looking to build long-term careers. With opportunities available across both traditional industries and emerging sectors, Hull provides apprentices a strong environment for building a successful career.
Key Growth Areas
Hull’s Growing Digital Economy
Hull is home to a thriving creative and digital sector, with hundreds of businesses operating across areas such as:
▪️ Digital Marketing
▪️ Software Development
▪️ Graphic Design
▪️ Content Creation
▪️ IT Support
▪️ Data and Technology Services
Digital skills are becoming increasingly valuable across every industry, making them an important asset regardless of your chosen career path.
Employer’s Most Valued Skills
▪️ Communication
▪️ Customer Service
▪️ Attention to Detail
▪️ Leadership
▪️ Organisation
▪️ Planning
▪️ Problem Solving
▪️ Team Working
▪️ Management Skills
Sector Job Growth
Employer Size by Sector
Top Job Posting Employers
Information from: Skills Hull and East Yorkshire
The East Yorkshire Labour Market
East Yorkshire is home to approximately 352,000 people, with over 220,000 people of working age. The region supports around 133,000 jobs across 16,000 businesses, with approximately 81% of residents in employment.
East Yorkshire combines thriving market towns, rural communities and industrial centres. The area has a strong reputation for manufacturing, food production, agriculture, logistics and tourism, supported by excellent transport links and access to the Humber ports.
East Yorkshire boasts one of the strongest employment rates in the region. Apprentices can benefit from opportunities in manufacturing, engineering, business services, retail, transport and food production, with many local employers investing heavily in workforce development and apprenticeships.
East Yorkshire’s diverse economy provides apprentices with a range of opportunities to develop their skills and progress within their chosen industry. Whether you are working in business, customer service, health and care, engineering, logistics or manufacturing, your apprenticeship can be the foundation for a rewarding long-term career.
Key Growth Areas
East Yorkshire’s Growing Economy
East Yorkshire has a strong economy with several industries offering excellent career opportunities for apprentices and job seekers. The area’s key growth sectors include:
▪️ Manufacturing and engineering: career opportunities can be found in engineering, production, maintenance, quality assurance, warehousing and supply chain management.
▪️ Ports, logistics and transport: Opportunities are available in transport planning, freight management, warehousing, supply chain operations, customer service and business administration. The Humber Estuary is one of the UK’s busiest trading locations, as trade and distribution continue to grow, demand for skilled workers remains high.
▪️ Agriculture and food production: Careers are available in food manufacturing, production management, quality control, agriculture, environmental services and distribution. Advances in technology and sustainability are creating new opportunities and driving growth across the sector.
Employer’s Most Valued Skills
▪️ Communication
▪️ Customer Service
▪️ Teamwork
▪️ Problem Solving
▪️ Leadership
▪️ Organisation
▪️ IT Skills
▪️ Adaptability
▪️ Attention to Detail
Sector Job Growth
Employer Size by Sector
Top Job Posting Employers
Information from: Skills Hull and East Yorkshire
The North East Lincolnshire Labour Market
North East Lincolnshire has a population of approximately 160,000 people, with around 95,000 people of working age. There are around 70,000 jobs across 4,000 employers with approximately 75% of working age residents in employment.
North East Lincolnshire is home to nationally significant industries including ports and logistics, food manufacturing, renewable energy, healthcare and offshore operations. Its coastal location and strong industrial heritage continue to support economic growth and employment opportunities.
Between April and July 2026, there were 4,967 vacancies advertised with an average salary of £31,040. Salaries for advertised jobs ranged from £10k to £156k. In total, 10,036 employers were recruiting in North East Lincolnshire, with 38% of jobs advertised through recruitment agencies.
Key Growth Areas
Most Vacancies
▪️ Grimsby
▪️ Immingham
▪️ Cleethorpes
▪️ Stallingborough
▪️ Waltham
Frequently Requested Skills
Transferable Skills
▪️ Communication
▪️ Customer Service
▪️ Management
▪️ Detail Oriented
▪️ Operations
Specialist Skills
▪️ Auditing
▪️ Finance
▪️ Improvement Processes
▪️ Warehousing
▪️ Food Safety
Top 10 Occupations
Largest Industries
Top Employers Employers
Information from: Business Lincolnshire
The North Lincolnshire Labour Market
North Lincolnshire has a population of approximately 177,000 people, with around 109,000 people of working age. There are around 82,000 jobs across 5,500 employers with approximately 78% of working age residents in employment.
North Lincolnshire is home to a diverse economy built around manufacturing, engineering, public services, healthcare, food production and logistics. Its strategic location, strong transport connections and industrial heritage make it an important centre for employment and economic growth within Greater Lincolnshire. Apprentices and job seekers can benefit from a wide range of career opportunities across both established and emerging industries.
Between April and June 2026, there were 5,885 vacancies advertised with an average salary of £31,680. Salaries for advertised jobs ranged from £10k to £156k. In total, 1,268 employers were recruiting in North Lincolnshire, with 38% of jobs advertised through recruitment agencies.
Key Growth Areas
Most Vacancies
▪️ Scunthorpe
▪️ Brigg
▪️ Barton-upon-Humber
▪️ Barnetby Le Wold
▪️ Winterton
Frequently Requested Skills
Transferable Skills
▪️ Communication
▪️ Teaching
▪️ Management
▪️ Detail Oriented
▪️ Customer Service
Specialist Skills
▪️ Auditing
▪️ Finance
▪️ Improvement Processes
▪️ Warehousing
▪️ Machinery
Top 10 Occupations
Largest Industries
Top Employers Employers
Information from: Business Lincolnshire
Planning Your Career Journey
Your apprenticeship is the first step in your professional journey. Labour Market Information can help you understand not only where opportunities exist today, but where they are likely to be in the future.
When thinking about your next steps, consider:
▪️ Which industries are growing locally?
▪️ What additional qualifications could support progression?
▪️ Which transferable skills could strengthen your employability?
▪️ What career pathways exist within your current sector?
▪️ Are there higher-level apprenticeships available?
▪️ What do employers value most in successful employees?
By regularly reviewing labour market information and discussing career ambitions with your tutor, workplace mentor or skills coach, you can make informed decisions that help maximise your future career opportunities.
Apprenticeship Success Starts with Understanding the Labour Market
The skills you develop during your apprenticeship are not only designed to help you succeed in your current role but to prepare you for long-term career success. By understanding local labour market trends, employer expectations and future industry growth areas, you can take ownership of your career journey and confidently plan your next steps towards a rewarding and sustainable career.
More Information, Advice and Guidance
