Lurgan For Work

There is a young multiskilled English speaking workforce within the borough, with 72% of the population economically active.

( Source – NI Labour Force Survey 2003)

Skills Breakdown

In the borough 22,010 (65.5%) employee jobs are in the service sector and 9,459 (28.2%) jobs are in the manufacturing sector). (Source NI census of employment 2001).

Characterised by competitive labour costs, the local workforce is highly professional, with a high concentration of senior managers and technical personnel. There are also a large number of school leavers and graduates keen to avail of local skilled and semi skilled careers.

Craigavon enjoys low levels of unemployment with an unemployment rate of 1.8% in 2005. The NI rate in the same period was 2.8%. (Source NISRA Feb 2006, claimant count)

Disposable Income

Average Gross Weekly Earnings for Craigavon

Male: £402.90 Female: £336.20

Average gross weekly earnings for Craigavon

Total: £375.90

(Source: Northern Ireland Earnings Survey).

Transport linkages

Lurgan is strategically situated just of the M1 and has excellent communication and transport links, ensuring that workers and products arrive on time. Air and seaports are a mere 45 minutes away. With a busy commuter railway station conveniently located in the town centre, Lurgan provides an easily accessed gateway to the UK, Republic of Ireland and the rest of the world.

Key Industry strengths

Local companies shine in the provision of services, retailing, information and communications technology, electronics, software, design, manufacturing, engineering and construction, transport and distribution sectors.

Lurgan also has a strong agricultural sector with approximately 341 farms operating throughout the rural wards of the town.