finance
DN Colleges Group Leads Doncaster Skills Push Amid Strong Vacancy Numbers
The local training organisation expands course options as health and retail sectors post the highest numbers of open posts.
How we reported this
Doncaster recorded an employment rate of 74.5 per cent for residents aged 16 to 64 in the year ending December 2023, with 142,000 people in work according to Office for National Statistics figures.
The rate rose from the previous year when 141,000 residents held jobs. At the same time the unemployment rate sat at 3.2 per cent in December 2023, while the claimant count dropped to 8,685 by March 2024 from 8,990 a year earlier.
Vacancies concentrated in two sectors
May 2026 data showed 8,456 advertised vacancies across Doncaster. Human Health and Social Work accounted for 28 per cent of those openings and Wholesale and Retail for 27 per cent. The median advertised salary stood at £30,000, with HGV Class 1 Drivers and Primary Teachers both listed at £41,600.
Employers most often requested skills in communication, management, attention to detail and customer service.
Local training response
DN Colleges Group launched its Summer of Skills campaign in June 2026 to offer flexible apprenticeships and short courses aimed at upskilling and career changes. The move aligns with Doncaster Council plans to update the Adult Social Care Workforce Strategy in 2026 and with the Local Labour Agreement adopted in August 2023 that requires employment and training plans for major planning applications.
A new online employment hub also provides a single access point for residents seeking to develop skills or start self-employment, supported by Business Doncaster. These programmes target the gap between current qualification levels and employer needs without relying on any single future event.
Residents can check the hub or contact DN Colleges Group directly for course details and apprenticeship routes that match the skills listed in current vacancies.
This article is general information only and is not personal financial or investment advice. Consider your own circumstances and seek licensed professional advice before making financial decisions.