| Employment |
| Future Skills Scotland |
| Unemployment |
Introduction
Resident employment in the Western Isles in 2005 was circa. 11,000. This represents an increase of 1,000 (10%) since 1998 and an employment rate of 81%, which is above the Scottish average figure of 75%. The number of employees in the Western Isles was approximately 10,000 in 2001. This represents growth of 800 or 9% since 1996. Females make up 57% of employees and males 43%.
Employment
Economically Active (16-74)
|
Western Isles |
Scotland |
All people aged 16-74 |
18,949 |
3,731,079 |
% of the total population |
71.5% |
73.7% |
Part time employees |
13% |
11% |
Full time employees |
36% |
40% |
Self employed |
10% |
7% |
Unemployed |
5% |
4% |
Full time students |
2% |
3% |
Total Economically Active |
66% |
65% |
Notes: 1 Part-time is defined as working up to 30 hours and full-time 31 or more hours a week. 2 "Long-term unemployed" are those who stated they have not worked since 1999 or earlier. 3 'Employees' and 'Self-employed' excludes full-time students. 4 'Unemployed' excludes full-time students. 5 'Economically active full-time students' comprises full-time students who are in employment or unemployed. |
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Source: Census 2001 http://www.scrol.gov.uk
As can be seen from the table above, in 2001, the Western Isles had a slightly lower proportion of working age residents in the population than the national average. The Western Isles had more part time employees, less full time employees and more residents in self-employment when compared to Scotland as a whole.
Industry of Employment (All people aged 16-74)
Industry |
Number |
% |
Industry |
Number |
% |
Health and Social Work |
1,743 |
15 |
Fishing |
667 |
6 |
Wholesale Retail, Trade & Repairs |
1,344 |
12 |
Other Community & Social Services |
550 |
5 |
Construction |
1,216 |
10 |
Finance |
154 |
1 |
Manufacturing |
1,040 |
9 |
Mining & Quarrying |
126 |
1 |
Public Sector, Defence & Social Security |
981 |
8 |
Electricity, Gas & Water Supply |
104 |
1 |
Education |
935 |
8 |
Other Extra-Territorial Bodies |
4 |
<1 |
Transport, Storage & Communications |
931 |
8 |
Agriculture, Hunting & Forestry |
175 |
2 |
Real Estate & Business Activities |
873 |
8 |
Self Employed Households |
1 |
<1 |
Hotels & Restaurants |
667 |
6 |
Total Employed |
11,511 |
100 |
Notes: 1 The industry categorisation is based on the 'UK Standard Industrial Classifications of Economic Activities 1992' (SIC92). 2 'In employment' means all people aged 16 to 74 in employment whether a full-time student or not. |
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Source: Census 2001 http://www.scrol.gov.uk
The Western Isles has a unique economic structure with a few key sectors employing the majority of the workforce. For more information go to the Economy pages
Occupation (All people aged 16-74)
Occupation |
Number |
% |
Skilled Trades (Building, Agricultural, Electrical, Metal, Painting& Textiles) |
2,350 |
20 |
Elementary Occupations (Trades & Administration) |
1,507 |
13 |
Associate Professionals (Science, Technology, Health, Protective Services, Culture, Media, Sport, Business & Public Service) |
1,372 |
12 |
Machine Operatives (Process, Plant & Transport) |
1,161 |
10 |
Managers (Senior, Corporate & Proprietors) |
1,118 |
10 |
Professionals (Science, Technology, Health, Teaching, Research, Business & Public Service) |
1,115 |
10 |
Administration & Secretarial |
1,114 |
10 |
Personal Services (Caring, Leisure & Personal Services) |
1,066 |
9 |
Sales & Customer Service |
708 |
6 |
Total Employed |
11,511 |
100 |
Notes: 1 The occupation classification is SOC2000 (Standard Occupation Classification). 2 'In employment' means all people aged 16 to 74 in employment whether a full-time student or not. |
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Source: Census 2001 http://www.scrol.gov.uk
Hours Worked
Western Isles |
Males |
Females |
Total aged 16-74 in employment |
6,291 |
5,220 |
Part time |
8.5% |
49% |
1-5 hours |
0.5% |
2% |
6-15 hours |
2% |
12% |
16-30 hours |
6% |
35% |
Full time |
91.5 |
51% |
31-37 hours |
16% |
25% |
38-48 hours |
49% |
22% |
49+ hours |
26.5% |
4% |
Notes: 1 Hours worked is the average number of hours worked a week for the last four weeks before the Census (29 April 2001). 2 'In employment' means all people aged 16 to 74 in employment whether a full-time student or not. |
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Source: Census 2001 http://www.scrol.gov.uk
The average hours worked by males and females in the Western Isles is slightly higher than the national average for men (44 hours compare to 42 hours respectively) whilst being slightly lower for women (30 hours compared to 31 hours respectively). There is a noticeable trend for a higher proportion of women to be in part-time employment in comparison to men who predominantly have full time work. This trend is apparent throughout Scotland.
Method of Travel to Work or Study (Resident Population)
Western Isles |
Number |
Percentage |
Not currently working or studying |
10,052 |
38 |
Works / studies mainly from home |
1,521 |
6 |
Travels to work or study |
14,929 |
56 |
Resident ‘night time’ population |
26,502 |
100 |
Method of Travel |
|
|
Tube / metro or light rail |
12 |
<1 |
Train |
126 |
1 |
Bus, minibus or coach |
3,373 |
23 |
Taxi or minicab |
98 |
<1 |
Driving car or van |
6,565 |
44 |
Passenger in car or van |
2,114 |
14 |
Motorcycle, moped or scooter |
41 |
<1 |
Bicycle |
183 |
1 |
Foot |
2,047 |
14 |
Other |
370 |
2 |
Total |
14,929 |
100 |
Notes: 1 No fixed place: counted as if working or studying in the area and are classified according to the means of transport used. 2 'Working or studying' includes all people of any age who work or study mainly at or from home, at no fixed place or travel to a place of work or study. 3 As there are no trains, a tube or metro on the Western Isles these respondents although resident must work or study elsewhere. |
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Source: Census 2001 http://www.scrol.gov.uk
Employment Projections
A Futureskills Scotland report “The Labour Market in Rural Scotland” outlines trends in regard to labour requirements. Although the figures cannot be disaggregated to a Western Isles level they do provide a reasonable trend analysis. The two main trends identified at the Scottish level are:
Expansion Demand - total employment is anticipated to remain broadly stable, but there will be considerable change within industries and occupations. Employment growth will be confined exclusively to the service industries and the number of jobs in the primary sector will continue to decline; and
Replacement Demand - significant jobs will require to be filled as a result of people retiring or moving to other jobs. Declining industries will also require new people - inflows will be required in distribution, hotels, health and education services and new entrants will be required in agriculture and construction.