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KEY SECTOR INSIGHTS

The latest Dorset key sector insights can help you identify opportunities, make informed career decisions and fulfil your potential in Dorset. 

Key Sector Insights

Across Dorset, a focus on key sectors has been developed through robust evidence and bringing together employers and providers to understand skills needs and provision.

To find out more about Dorset's key sectors, career opportunities and insights explore the links below. 

Agriculture & Agri-Tech

Dorset’s Agri-Tech sector is currently worth £108m and employs around 700 people.  Dorset is aiming to improve the productivity of its land-based sectors and contribute to better food security for the UK.  With over 200 SMEs, 77% of Dorset land is farmed.  

Agritech is any technology on the farm or that crosses the threshold of the farm, for use in agriculture, horticulture, or aquaculture which increases productivity and sustainability. 

Read the latest Labour Market Insights for Agriculture & Agri-Tech.  

To find out more about this sector visit the Local Skills Improvement Plan website. 

Advanced Engineering & Manufacturing

Dorset’s manufacturing sector employs around 28,000 people and contributes £1.7 billion annually to the region’s economy with substantial potential for future growth.

Read the latest Labour Market Insights for Advanced Manufacturing & Engineering.

To find out more about this sector visit the Local Skills Improvement Plan website. 

Building & Construction

Identified by Dorset Council as a sector with potential to provide significant growth.  BCP Council is focussed on unlocking the zero carbon dividend with new environmental technologies. 

Read the latest Labour Market Insights for Building & Construction.

To find out more about this sector visit the Local Skills Improvement Plan website. 

Digital Tech & Creative 

The creative and digital business activity in Dorset has seen active companies tripling over the past decade, reaching close to 9,200 in 2022 and turning over £1.7 billion, contributing £972 million to the local economy. 

Read the latest Labour Market Insights for Digital Tech & Creative.

To find out more about this sector visit the Local Skills Improvement Plan website. 

Health & Social Care 

In Dorset, the healthcare sector demand has grown fast over the past years and is predicted to expand further in the future, offering a great variety of career opportunities. The sector employs 49,000 people (15% of the workforce) contributing £1.9 billion (11%) to the overall Dorset economy and has grown 54% in economic outputs over the past decade. 

Read the latest Labour Market Insights for Health & Social Care. 

To find out more about this sector visit the Local Skills Improvement Plan website. 

Net Zero

The Dorset LSIP will consider the skills, capabilities and expertise required in relation to jobs that directly contribute to or indirectly support Net Zero targets, adaptation to Climate Change or meet other environmental goals. The UK is seeking Net Zero by 2050. The latest government plan can be viewed here.

Read the latest Labour Market Insights for Net Zero. 

To find out more about this sector visit the Local Skills Improvement Plan website. 

 

Labour Market Information Posters

Our labour market posters, covering some of the key employment sectors in Dorset, provide information about top careers, skills required, expected earnings and future demand. They are a useful resource for students exploring their future career options in Dorset.