Whether you want a change of scenery or a change of career, Sheffield is a great place to live and work. The city’s economy is worth over £11bn, making it one of the strongest in the UK. Driving the economy is a diverse range of industries that provide ample job opportunities. While we can’t guarantee you’ll have an easy job hunt, if you’re keen on working in any of the industries we mention, you might just be in luck.
Top industries in Sheffield
Advanced manufacturing & engineering
Sheffield was once the powerhouse of Britain’s steel industry. But out of the ashes of industrial decline, Sheffield has risen as one of Britain’s prime locations for advanced manufacturing and engineering. The industry employs thousands of highly skilled workers from around the world.
Such is Sheffield’s competitiveness on the world stage of this industry that companies like Rolls Royce and Boeing have facilities here.
World-renowned engineering firm SCX is also based out of Sheffield. They’re famous for building retractable roofs on elite sporting venues like Wimbledon’s Centre Court and Court One, and the new Tottenham Hotspurs Stadium. Many other top companies situate in the Advanced Manufacturing Park which is located just two miles from the city centre.
The University of Sheffield is the UK’s top institution for engineering research income and investment. It has close ties with the Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre (AMRC) and the Nuclear AMRC, two major employers that work alongside the government. The fact that the AMRC is constantly expanding shows the industry’s strength in Sheffield. Just this July a new £80m aerostructure manufacturing facility was announced.
There’s a huge demand for engineers in the UK, with over 120,000 needed each year. Sheffield is a top place for those jobs. As of August 2023, the job site Indeed alone lists 1,700 engineering job postings within 25 miles of Sheffield.
Manufacturing, engineering, science and technology jobs comprise 10% of Sheffield’s workforce.
Health and sport
According to Varbes, Sheffield’s health industry employs 40,000 people. The NHS, which has one of the world’s biggest workforces, is a top employer in the area. But the Sheffield health industry also contains private companies in healthcare technology, digital healthcare and others.
It’s estimated that the UK’s health and social care sector will need up to 650,000 additional workers by 2035. The industry is big everywhere in the UK, including the city of Sheffield where there are NHS Foundation Trust research centres and 6 hospitals.
Sheffield has a rich sporting heritage, and that’s not only because Sheffield Wednesday is England’s second oldest club. The English Institute of Sport is based in Sheffield, as well as the Nation Centre for Sport and Exercise Medicine. Whether you’re a dietitian, physical therapist or exercise scientist, you’ll find no shortage of opportunities in Sheffield. The Outdoor City can also offer plenty of jobs for outdoor enthusiasts.
Education
13% of people in Sheffield work in education. It’s no surprise in a massive city with a growing population and two top universities. But it might surprise you that Sheffield is a national leader in this sector.
As it stands, 60% of the national teaching resources are managed in Sheffield. Digital education company Tutorful started up in Sheffield and is a market leader. Various other e-learning companies are headquartered in the city.
There are 38 schools rated “Outstanding” by Ofsted in Sheffield, each providing great quality jobs to education professionals. The two universities also create thousands of jobs between them. A top 20 UK university, The University of Sheffield employs over 8000 people. Sheffield Hallam University is a newer institution with 30,000 students and 4000 employees.
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Business services
Another heavyweight industry in Sheffield, the city region contains over 68,000 businesses employing more than 700,000 people. Together the business, professional and financial service businesses contribute over 2.5bn to the local economy.
New businesses are always starting up in Sheffield, and that’s earned the city a reputation for innovation and creativity. In fact, it was voted the best place to start a business outside London in 2022 by startup.co.uk. Previously, it has been voted as one of the best places in the world to start an online business. If you have entrepreneurial ambitions, Sheffield will welcome you with open arms and give you the support you need to thrive.
Plus, there’s a range of employers in media, retail, hospitality and much more. For example, 23,000 people in Sheffield are employed in retail, making up 8.5% of the workforce. The Department for Work and Pensions also have a large office in Sheffield city centre.
Many household brands operate call centres in the city, including HSBC, Nationwide, BT and Virgin Media. Sheffield city council is another significant employer and has over 8000 workers in Sheffield.
Is Sheffield a good place to get a job?
All things considered, Sheffield is a good place for people to get a job regardless of their skill level or craft. It’s a particularly good city for engineers, educators and healthcare workers. If you’re an innovator at heart, Sheffield is the best place outside London to start a business.
So why not begin planning your move to the Outdoor City today? Wherever you live, We Buy Any Home can help get you moving with a quick and easy sale of your current property.
