NEW research has revealed the Covid-19 pandemic has led to an increased demand for care and warehouse skills in Teesside.

Support workers, care assistants and warehouse operatives are ranked as the most in demand occupations in Teesside.

Independent online learning provider, The Skills Network, has unveiled insight into how Covid-19 has impacted the Teesside jobs market, revealing the most in demand local skills, occupations, and booming sectors.

The Skills Network has partnered with data provider, Emsi, to analyse 1.5 million jobs, which has highlighted care and warehouse skills as the most in demand skills in the region, following 18-months of disruption and change, due to the pandemic.

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The top five most in-demand job roles in Teesside are revealed as:

  1. Support worker
  2. Care assistant
  3. Warehouse operatives
  4. Teaching assistants
  5. Staff nurses


Additional research by the University of Cambridge has highlighted that 22 per cent of the UK’s population lack basic digital skills, and 51 per cent of those on the lowest income bracket have no access to Wi-Fi at home, raising concerns of a growing “digital divide” in the UK.

According to The Skills Network’s latest research, Hartlepool is the only town in the region that saw a 20 per cent decline in job offers, despite there being a 25 per cent increase in job adverts, which could be reflective of the growing digital divide.

Speaking about the need to continue to invest in training and skills development, Mark Dawe, CEO at The Skills Network, said: “This report provides us with a valuable insight into the emerging skills trends in communities such as Teesside, which in turn can be used by job seekers and employers to prepare and adapt to the demands of the new working world.

“As we recover from the pandemic, it is crucial that training resources are made available to individuals in key areas such as Teesside, to ensure the recovery and ultimate success of local economies.

“We hope that this report will provide direction for individuals and employers looking to upskill, re-train and develop as we navigate the transition out of the pandemic.”

Additionally, environmental concerns continue to impact the employee skills desired by employers.

The latest research by The Skills Network goes on to highlight there has been a 230 per cent increase in the demand for mental health skills since 2016, and a 142 per cent increase in the demand for green skills over the last five years.

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