Shared Vision: Training & Career Development in Leeds
The Current Job Market and Employment Opportunities in Leeds
Leeds is one of the largest cities in the north of England, with a diverse economy and an active job market. Like many other English cities, Leeds experienced an economic boom during the 18th century, when it became a large manufacturing centre. Traditionally, the main industries in Leeds were wool manufacturing, export activities, engineering, agriculture, and printing. Some of these industries still have a presence in the city, especially printing, engineering, and food manufacturing, although their importance has been largely replaced by industries in the service sector.
Nowadays, Leeds has a large number of full time jobs in the sectors of banking, legal services, finance, and insurance. The city's financial district is home to more than 30 of the country's most important firms in these fields, including the Bank of England, Yorkshire Bank, First Direct, the Leeds Building Society, Pricewaterhouse Coopers, and DLA Piper, to mention just a few. All in all, there are more than 100 PLC companies in the area, which is why Leeds boasts the highest number of people in employment after London.
Other important sources of employment are the telecommunications, specialised engineering, public administration, health care, education, and retail sectors. Major employers include Orange, BT, Capita, Northern Foods, Premier Hazard, and Yorkshire Television–ITV.
Professional career development in Leeds
Due to its important business services market, Leeds has been listed as a Gamma Global World City, which means that the city is recognised worldwide as a key financial and business centre. As a result, there is a large number of professional career development opportunities in the city, particularly in the fields of banking, finance, and administration.
Leeds University Business School offers world-class business degrees at undergraduate, postgraduate, and MBA level. The school also works in partnership with leading companies in order to provide 9 and 12-month placements and summer projects that can help students develop their business skills further.
Leeds City College is the UK's third largest college and it offers more than 30 government sponsored apprenticeships, including those in areas like business administration, IT, accounting, and management.
Local businesses and organisations can benefit from the continuing professional development and workplace skills training run by Leeds University Business School. The school offers tailor-made work-based learning programmes and extensive business support through its Corporate Relations division, which runs workshops, short courses, consultancy services, seminars, and a wide range of networking events. PTP is another local business training and professional development provider that offers courses in marketing, management, personal development, finance, business planning, and information technology. These courses are available as public training events, as well as on a one-to-one basis or in-house training.
If you need business support, advice, and / or specialised training, the Leeds, York, and North Yorkshire Chamber of Commerce offers a range of courses in business strategy, social media applied to business, finance, accountancy, business planning, and networking, to mention just a few. Business networking events are also organised by BNI Business Networking Leeds, and the local chapter of Forward Ladies Business Networking, the Business Network, and Networking for Business. Another useful source of business contacts is the Leeds Business Forum, which has an important online presence, as well as weekly breakfast networking events.
Those who are looking to develop their leadership skills can contact Leaders for Leeds, a local organisation that runs one-day courses and events aimed to develop the leadership potential of business managers and entrepreneurs. Further leadership training courses are available from Revolution Learning, Summit Training, and PTP. It is also worth checking with Connect, since this organisation may also have information of other leadership events.
You'll find more information about business training companies and services on Actual Leeds.
Further Considerations: If you have not yet learned to drive now is a good time to make a start. Not all positions are located within easy walking distance of public transport and some positions, such as sales and on site support, require that you be able to drive. If you have a license it makes you more desirable as a candidate and provides you with greater flexibility in the roles you can apply for and locations you can work in. To find a driving school in your area visit this site.
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