Workforce Skills

Ashford’s population is expected to double over the next 25 years. And quality people count for business. 

Already home to a working population of over 46,000 employees, Ashford has up to 783,000 adults of working age within a 40 minute drive of the town centre, one million within an hour.

Ashford has a significant representation of 'Wealthy Executives', some 70% more than the national average. 45% of working age residents are qualified to NVQ level 3 or above, compared to a national average of 40%. Average salaries are 20% less than in London, and 10% lower than the rest of the South East - an attractive cost-saving for growing businesses.

With a predicted 28,000 new jobs over the next 25 years and the population set to double, there is growing availability amongst a large pool of skilled labour. Ashford has a strong employment pull, attracting workers from more than 40 km (25 miles) away.

The proportion of workers who travel more than 40 km to work in Ashford is more than twice the national average, which when combined with the 20 minute drivetime indicates the relative ease of accessibility that Ashford can demonstrate. This will be a key feature in the development of Ashford’s economy.

Ashford offers businesses tremendous flexibility in the local labour market – full-time, part-time, temporary, self-employed and shift workers - are widely available within and around the town centre.

This labour market will be strengthened by the offer of the new Ashford Learning Campus.  The investment in this new educational and training facility will supply qualified young people, through an enhanced curriculum, and increase  workforce development  and upskilling for local businesses.