The first quarter of 2021 was one of highs and lows: Dorset entered a third lockdown and a New Year simultaneously and marked a year since the start of the pandemic. The spike in cases seen at the beginning of the year subsided with over 60% of adults receiving their first COVID-19 vaccination and cautious steps on the roadmap to easing the restrictions are now well underway.
Our latest round of insights shows the labour market and skills responded accordingly: there was a decline in employment and a rise in furlough, but also a noted increase in vacancies towards the end of the quarter. This issue also highlights the impact of the pandemic on inequalities, skills gaps and the future of work nationally and in Dorset.