LMI
Labour Market Information
Labour Market Information (LMI) is data about the world of work — covering employment levels, job vacancies, salary ranges, skills in demand, industry trends, and regional economic patterns. In the context of careers education, LMI helps students make informed decisions by understanding which careers are growing, which skills employers value, and what they can expect to earn in different roles.
Key facts
- LMI is central to Gatsby Benchmark 2, which requires all students to have access to good quality LMI
- The National Careers Service provides free LMI resources for schools
- Lightcast (formerly EMSI) and the Office for National Statistics publish detailed LMI datasets
- Regional LMI varies significantly — what's in demand in London may differ from the North East
- LMI should be embedded in lessons, guidance sessions, and parent communications
Frequently asked questions
What is Labour Market Information (LMI) in careers education?
Labour Market Information (LMI) is data that describes the world of work — including which jobs are available, average salaries, skills that employers need, and future employment trends. In careers education, LMI helps students make informed decisions by showing them the realistic picture of opportunities in different industries and regions.
Where can schools find reliable LMI for careers lessons?
Reliable LMI sources for schools include: the National Careers Service (nationalcareers.service.gov.uk), the Lightcast Labour Market Analytics platform, regional LEP (Local Enterprise Partnership) data, the Office for National Statistics, and sector-specific organisations. LMI should be current, regional where possible, and presented in an accessible format for students.
How does LMI link to the Gatsby Benchmarks?
LMI is central to Gatsby Benchmark 2 (Learning from Career and Labour Market Information), which requires every student — and their parents — to have access to good quality information about future study options and labour market opportunities. Evidence for Benchmark 2 includes records of LMI-based lessons, guidance sessions that reference LMI data, and parent-facing careers information events.
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