Labour market improves despite skills gap

The labour force is growing while more people are returning to work and fewer are being laid off, data released yesterday shows.

Almost all indicators show an improvement in the labour market in 2013 compared to the previous 12 months, but some substantial concerns remain, including the level of unemployment among those under 25 and those seeking work in sectors such as construction and hospitality.

The data is contained in the annual National Skills Bulletin from the Expert Group on Future Skills Needs.