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South West Regional Development Agency

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Workforce productivity

In a knowledge-based economy, the skills and talents of employees are critical. The South West of England gives investors a massive competitive edge when it comes to the quality, availability and performance of potential employees.

When our people become your people you will benefit from:

  • Productivity - The South West is the most productive region in the UK outside London and the Greater South East. (Source: Office of National Statistics, Regional GVA). Advanced engineers here are a massive 31% more productive than their counterparts in the rest of the UK
  • Employee Motivation: Workers in the South West enjoy the UK's highest levels of happiness, motivation and pleasure in their surroundings. (Source: 2005 wellbeing@work survey). High levels of motivation and satisfaction are linked to good staff morale and high productivity
  • Highly-Qualified: More than 25% of the South West's population is qualified to NVQ Level 4 or above. Over 27% of the population is educated to degree standard or above. Attainment at GCSE and A-level is among the highest in the UK
  • Skills: The South West has a higher proportion of employees in high level occupations (37%) than anywhere else in the UK. 24% of employees in the region are in job-related training - the highest number in the UK
  • Availability: 62.4% of the adult population is currently in employment, providing a total current workforce of 2,205,000. (Source: Labour Force Survey, Office of National Statistics)
  • Inward Migration: The South West has the UK's highest rates of inward migration of professionally qualified people. Between 1981 and 2001, the population grew by 12.5% - faster than anywhere else in the UK. That means that our pool of talented employees is constantly refreshed and reinvigorated
  • Labour Costs: Labour costs are typically 5% lower here than the UK average
  • Innovation and Entrepreneurship: The South West has the best business survival rate in Britain. (Source: Office of National Statistics 2005). There are more self-employed people here than anywhere else in the country
  • World Class Consultancies: Companies here benefit from the expertise of some of the world's leading business consultancies. Fraser Nash Consultancy, Atkins plc and Scott-Wilson Group all have a presence in the region.

For more information about investing in the South West of England, contact Head of Inward Investment Ellen Stallins

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