What is Labour Market Information?

Generally, the term Labour Market Information, or LMI, refers to any information about the structure and state of a labour market, and any factors likely to influence the structure and working of that market, such as jobs available, people to do those jobs and changes in the business environment.  There are three main parts to Labour Market Information:

• The Demand Side (the jobs available)
• The Supply Side (people to do the jobs available) 
• Global trends affecting the labour market

Sector-specific LMI is about employment, which focuses on the supply and demand of labour in a particular sector or sectors.  All sector skills councils are required to produce relevant, up-to-date and accurate information on skills gaps and shortages, employment trends and predictions for the future.  Although SSCs are not the only agencies that produce this kind of information,  they are certainly the most authoritative and reliable source. 

LMI is available from all sector skills councils at regional and national levels as part of their core remit and some SSCs also produce LMI at local and international levels by separate agreements.  It is worth keeping in mind that sector skills councils are "employer-led" organisations and their information is aimed at helping employers to estimate their skills spend, matched to their business need and to inform business planning. 

e-skills UK is the SSC for our sector, for more information on the role of e-skills UK and their products and services, visit the e-skills UK or Connectlearning websites - links are available on the right hand side of this page.   


Where to look for LMI

Connexions services - for young people

Careers Advice Service (England) - used to be called "learndirect" - for adults

Careers Scotland/ Careers Wales/ Careers Northern Ireland - for all ages

Sector Skills Councils: SSCs careers portal for sector careers information, an e-newsletter via the Sector Careers Information website and individual SSCs

Adult Advancement and Careers Service (aacs) LMI - web 'location' to be confirmed