The characteristics of the Leeds labour market are particularly well suited to the needs of modern businesses.

Strong local traditions in shift work and part time working, a willingness to travel, a high proportion of working women and a large student population, have enabled operations requiring a flexible and dedicated workforce to flourish in Leeds.

The Leeds city region has a workforce of around 1.5 million and a total population of 2.9 million. Over 2 million people live within 30 minutes drive of Leeds city centre.

Leeds has a total workforce of 463,700 made up of 420,900 employees and 42,800 self-employed.

In the last decade, total employment in Leeds has grown by 57,500 (14%), and is expected to grow by 5.7% over the next decade, creating 26,500 new jobs.

Over 100,000 new jobs have been created in Leeds during the last 20 years. In the last five years, more jobs have been created in Leeds than in any other UK city outside London.

Leeds accounts for around a third of all new jobs created by the UK’s eight core cities, which include Manchester, Birmingham, Bristol, Leeds, Sheffield, Newcastle, Liverpool and Nottingham. Leeds is expected to provide 22% of the region’s additional 118,700 jobs in the next decade.

In addition to financial services and manufacturing, Leeds is a major centre for media and communications, supporting around 11,700 jobs.

The city is a major visitor destination, with the tourism industry supporting in excess of 10,000 full-time equivalent jobs.

Leeds is a major employment provider for adjacent districts, with a net 90,000 in-bound commuters in 2008.

Leeds is the biggest centre for construction and allied trades, with around 33,600 employed in the sector.

Employment is expected to grow by 10% over the next decade.

A new partnership has been established to make sure local people benefit from the massive levels of development activity taking place in the city. Construction Leeds brings together construction companies, public and private sector organisations to link local people to employment, training and enterprise opportunities.

The average gross weekly wage for men in Leeds is £429 and for women £290. (GB average £459 for men and £280 for women – April 2007)

Around 7,000 university students in Leeds study modern foreign languages as a major element of their course work.  In the wider region, there are nearly 16,000 language students, the largest number for any UK region outside London and the South East.

The Regional Language Network Yorkshire & Humber can help employers locate staff with appropriate language skills.