Understanding Labour Market Information (LMI)
It's crucial for our students to understand what Labour Market Information (LMI) is and how it can benefit them. LMI provides valuable insights into various jobs and opportunities, indicating what is currently available and what is predicted for the future. This information can be sourced from a wide array of platforms, including:
- Government-funded websites: Such as the Office for National Statistics (ONS) and the National Careers Service.
- Job vacancy advertisements: Found in local newspapers and online job boards like Indeed and LinkedIn.
- Industry reports: Published by professional bodies and trade associations.
- Conversations with friends and family: Anecdotal sources that can provide information on who may be recruiting.
- Labour Market Information hubs: Such as the Kent and Medway Labour Market Information Hub.
Each source contributes to a comprehensive understanding of the labour market.
However, transforming this information into actionable intelligence is key. To do this, it's important to consider the following questions:
How was the information gathered? By whom? For what purpose? These factors influence the reliability and relevance of the data. For instance, data collected five years ago may not be very reliable, whereas data gathered last week is likely to be more accurate and relevant.
Tools such as the
Kent and Medway Labour Market Information Hub provide access to basic data on various jobs, offering a broad but generalized picture. Additionally, the
Careers Hub offers a great selection of quick guides on different job sectors, helping students make informed career decisions.
Kent labour market information
Unifrog Careers Library
Students and parents can use the Careers Library to research the LMI for different roles. An example is below:
An introduction to Labour Market Information

Information regarding the Canterbury LMI